The left-wing politician gives private reasons, but also mentions “blatant deficits” in dealing with sexism in her own ranks.
Susanne Hennig-Wellsow announces her resignation.
suk. The leader of the Left Party, Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, resigns. She announced this on her website on Wednesday. As a reason, she said, among other things: “Dealing with sexism in our own ranks has revealed blatant deficits in our party.” She also gave personal reasons.
Hennig-Wellsow was only elected party leader together with Janine Wissler in February 2021. Since then, the party has suffered several setbacks. In the Bundestag elections, she only returned to parliament with the strength of a parliamentary group thanks to three direct mandates
“My private life situation does not allow me to be there for my party with the strength and time that is necessary in the current situation. I have an eight-year-old son who needs me, who has a right to time with me. But in this situation, the left also needs a leader who is there for the party with everything she has, »she writes. The party is in one of the most difficult phases in its history. «Renewal is all the more necessary, and this renewal needs new faces to be credible. The left deserves to be led by people who give our supporters and members courage again, »explained Hennig-Wellsow.
Henning-Wellsow was state chair of the Left Party in Thuringia from 2013 to 2021 and also chair of the parliamentary group in the Thuringian state parliament until 2021. She has been a member of the Bundestag since 2021.