Left Party leader Schirdewan: Things went badly – ​​we can’t carry on like this!

Politics: Left Party leader leaves future after European elections in limbo

After a severe setback in the European elections, the federal chairman of the Left Party, Martin Schirdewanundecided about his political future. In an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” newspaper, he left it open whether he would run for the office of party chairman again.

Schirdewan has led the party together with Janine Wissler for two years. Their disappointing performance in the European elections, in which the Left received only 2.7 percent of the vote, has led to internal discontent and calls for changes within the party leadership.

Schirdewan's candidacy did not achieve the desired result, which led to frustration within the party's own ranks. Both Bundestag member Gesine Lötzsch and social medicine specialist Gerhard Trabert expressed criticism of the current party leadership.

In view of the poor performance in the European elections, Schirdewan stressed: "It went badly. There is no getting around it." The Left must draw conclusions and ensure a new direction in order to be able to act successfully in the future. The aim is to return to the Bundestag with a strong faction.

Despite current poll numbers that put the Left Party at less than five percent, Schirdewan stressed that the party would reposition itself structurally and programmatically. It is expected that the Left Party will fundamentally renew itself by the 2025 federal election in order to regain stronger support among the population.