Jan van Aken will step down as co-chair of Die Linke at the party conference in June. He announced on Wednesday that he must relinquish his position due to health reasons, stating, “In the coming time, I will need to focus more on my health”. The head of Die Linke assured that there is no need for major concern regarding his health, clarifying that it is not a life-threatening illness. Despite this, he stated he must take care of himself, which is the reason for his resignation. Van Aken intends to fulfill his mandate in the Bundestag until the end of the current legislative period and will remain available to the party “to the extent that circumstances allow”. Van Aken admitted this decision was very difficult for him, mentioning that he will miss the trusting collaboration he shared with co-chair Ines Schwerdtner. Reflecting on the party’s progress, Van Aken reviewed positive results, noting, “I think the party is on a good path. We have gained significantly in all four elections this year”. He added that new members continue to join, and the party has successfully promoted key topics such as a rent cap and a nationwide wealth tax. Furthermore, he is optimistic about the future, suggesting that other parties are beginning to lose ground to Die Linke, which he predicts will play an increasingly major role in the country in the coming years.
Politics
