BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht described the resignations of almost all BSW regional parliament members from Thuringia as a “liberating blow.” Speaking to the television channel Welt, Wagenknecht suggested that the departing members intended to intentionally harm the BSW just before the election weekend.
She noted that the timing of these departures is highly significant, adding, “It is natural that they now want to inflict maximum damage on us during the state election in Saxony-Anhalt.” While acknowledging that the move by Thuringia is meant to harm the party, Wagenknecht countered that it is also a necessary step. She pointed out that for the past two years, politics in the region had been conducted in the BSW’s name, but the party lacked genuine representation.
According to Wagenknecht, this situation now creates the possibility of a fresh start and a clear resolution. “And where the BSW is mentioned, the BSW will now definitely be represented in the future, even in Thuringia,” she stated. “In that sense, I do see this step positively, even if it is intended to hurt us.”
The founder elaborated that the exiting members had never truly represented BSW policy. She recalled past issues, noting, “We have unfortunately experienced since the election that our state list was largely captured by people-specifically in 2024-who seemingly cared only about their own careers and felt very little obligation to the voters who cast their votes for a specific policy.”
Overall, Wagenknecht concluded that the actions of the former BSW members in Thuringia had only benefited the AfD. She pointed out that the public’s “profound disappointment” with the BSW caused many voters to decide against the BSW, opting instead for the AfD, thereby identifying a clear shift in voter sentiment. Nonetheless, she expressed hope that the party could persuade many of these people to return to their side. Wagenknecht reaffirmed the BSW’s commitment to an alternative political vision, stating, “We are not a party that keeps the old parties in power, especially since we see that their catastrophic policies naturally generate increasing anger in the country.”
