The left-wing faction in the German Bundestag decided to disband on December 6. The background is the departure of former faction leader Sahra Wagenknecht and nine other MPs from the Left party.
With the resignation, the faction lost the necessary minimum size and must be liquidated. It is a profound turning point for the left. The fact that a parliamentary group in the Bundestag is being dissolved during the current parliamentary term is new. Such ‘liquidations’ have so far only taken place after electoral defeats: in 2013 the FDP faction in the Bundestag was liquidated when it failed to cross the five percent limit. In 2002, the left-wing predecessor PDS went through such a procedure once. At that time, only two direct candidates reached the Bundestag.
It is now expected that two new factions will emerge: the other 28 left-wing MPs on the one hand and Wagenknecht and her supporters on the other. We will work to implement this as quickly as possible, Left Party Leader Dietmar Bartsch said before the group meeting on Tuesday. Compared to a faction, a group has slightly fewer parliamentary rights and also receives less financial support from the state treasury.
The Wagenknecht Association is already collecting donations
Politically, this is a profound turning point for the left. The left-wing faction was formed in 2005 from a merger of members of the former PDS and the then new WASG. Both parties then merged into Left in 2007. Now it splits again. Wagenknecht would like to establish a rival party in early 2024. Your association “Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht” is preparing this and is already collecting donations.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
