Rewritten Article:
Left Party NRW Feels a Fresh Start Post-Wagenknecht's Departure
The Left Party in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is experiencing a wave of optimism following the federal party's renewal campaign. According to the state party representative speaking to German Press Agency, the trend suggests more individuals are joining the party than departing, although a comprehensive evaluation is still pending.
Initially, the party saw significant fluctuations following Sahra Wagenknecht's resignation and the exit of her supporters in October. However, the numbers have stabilized since then, with an equal number of people leaving and joining. Previously, the trend had been negative, but the situation has since improved.
The national party conference in Augsburg served as a catalyst for change, according to Sascha H. Wagner, the NRW Left Party state spokesperson. Many former members and those undecided found the conference an invitation to engage with the party once again. While there isn't an influx akin to the Berlin Left, Wagner acknowledges a discernible positive trend.
Despite the optimistic atmosphere, the Left Party in NRW is grappling with a decline in membership numbers. The reduction from 7,500 members at the beginning of the year now stands at around 7,000 regular members. In 2021, the NRW Left Party still boasted around 8,600 members. The party has been absent from the NRW state parliament for several years.
The "One Left for All" campaign was launched by the party leadership at the national conference with the objective of refreshing the party and regaining lost voters. The campaign aims to put an end to the prolonged internal disputes that culminated in the resignation of the ten Bundestag members around Wagenknecht.
The NRW state association had previously supported Wagenknecht, who served as the party's top candidate in the 2021 federal election.
In light of the upbeat sentiment stemming from the Left Party's federal renewal campaign, fewer members in North Rhine-Westphalia are choosing to leave the party. What's more, the arrival of new members since the national conference has driven a noticeable increase in the party's strength.
New Developments and Reasons Driving Membership Growth
The increase in membership in the Left Party in NRW isn't solely related to Wagenknecht's resignation. Rather, the primary factors driving this surge include:
- Controversial Asylum Vote: The party witnessed a significant membership boost after a contentious asylum policy vote involving union, AfD, and FDP parties on January 29, 2025.
- Election Campaign Mobilization: The heightened mobilization efforts during the ongoing election campaign have played a critical role in driving new memberships.
- Demographic Shift: The new members tending to join the party are predominantly younger, with an average age of 28.7 years, and around 53% are women. This adjusts the overall average age of the party membership to 43.31 years and increases the share of female members to over 42%.
- Streamlined Membership Process: The party has made it more accessible by implementing a simplified online sign-up process via its website and offering varying membership fee structures.
- Political Conjuncture: The party's turnaround can also be attributed to the relatively positive political climate, including the rightward shift on migration policies and the growing support for the AfD.
In conclusion, the surge in membership in the Left Party NRW can primarily be credited to the controversial asylum vote, heightened election campaign mobilization, demographic shifts, and a favorable political climate rather than Wagenknecht's resignation.
