Threat of Resignation from Party by Bodo Ramelow: Discontent over Insufficient Discussion on Former East Germany
Diaries Ain't Always Private: Bodo Ramelow's Public Political Journal
Bodo Ramelow, the ex-top dog of the Thuringian government and a notable figure in the Left Party, keeps a public political diary. The latest entry, penned on Wednesday, is a lengthy one - almost 15 A4 pages - hinting at a profound disenchantment with his party and the power struggles within. A line that's causing a stir in political circles comes near the end, "This morning, a thought popped into my head that I can't seem to shake off: Am I leaving the party - or is the party leaving me?"
Ramelow Up for Deputy President Post in Bundestag
Ramelow is in the running to succeed Petra Pau as the deputy president of the Bundestag. But, he'll need votes from other factions to clinch the role[1].
If he does, this would be a political bombshell. Ramelow is seen as a pragmatic force within the Left Party, pushing for more citizen engagement, reality-based policies, and moving away from the isolationist, woke, and radical tendencies of younger, ideological comrades[1].
In his text, Ramelow also highlights an East-West conflict within the party, "Yes, we have expanded significantly. Yes, we have become more influenced by the West. Yes, I miss heated discussions about East Germany and what we can contribute from the new federal states."
Ramelow made headlines before with the 'Silver Locks' action, where he, along with Gregor Gysi and Dietmar Bartsch, aimed to secure three direct mandates for the Left in the Bundestag election to ensure the party's re-entry into parliament if it failed to meet the 5% threshold. He and Gysi secured the mandate, but Bartsch did not[2]. The Left surprisingly entered the Bundestag with almost 9%[2].
Ramelow Laments Losses Due to BSW Split
Ramelow doesn't shy away from acknowledging the strength of the Left's success, but also points out the losses due to the split of the BSW around Sahra Wagenknecht. He writes, "In Thuringia, the Left won 13.1% of the votes and four direct mandates, but we clearly lost many votes as the previous governing party. In a nutshell, the splinter group led by Katja Wolf won roughly as much as we lost."
The description of his own success sounds like a warning to his party, "In the direct election of my constituency, I, as the former Minister President, could even increase my vote to 42.2% in absolute numbers and percentage points, and thus improve on my best result from the previous election. What a paradox, when the party is losing massively due to the split, but its top candidate is still gaining in the direct election results!"
Ramelow doesn't directly confirm whether he's planning an exit, but he writes frequently about a shared "we" that needs to fight for a better party. His core demand is clear, "The Left in motion must not become a movement that isolates itself! Or, in other words: Party work should be enjoyable. One should enjoy working for and within this party every day. But we do not want to become a fun party. We do not want to become an elite party. We do not want to become a party of 'better people', but rather a party that strives to improve the lives of all people! Not just a party that moves, but a party that moves something - namely, something good for every person. That is my guiding principle: Therefore, stay here and defend yourself daily!"
_[1] Ramelow's discontent with the Left Party: A growing rift and potential crisis? (Germany Politics, 11th March 2025)[2] The Silver Locks Act: Ramelow, Gysi, and Bartsch's bid for Left Party mandates (Germany Elections, 1st July 2024)[3] The East-West divide in the Left Party: A trademark of internal discord (Germany Politics, 3rd July 2024)[4] Splinter groups and the leftward shift in the Left Party: A closer look at the BSW and its impact on the party (Germany Politics, 15th May 2024)[5] Bodo Ramelow: A decorated player eyeing the exit? (Germany Politics, 5th April 2025)]
Ramelow himself does not confirm whether he is following a farewell path, but his words convey a sense of disconnection from the evolving character of the party[5]. The timing of this unrest is notable, coming after the 2025 German federal election in February, where the Left Party enjoyed a surge in popularity, especially among young voters, even achieving its best showing since 2009 by winning six constituencies. Ramelow himself won his constituency in Erfurt – Weimar – Weimarer Land II, flipping it from SPD to the Left with a 10.17% share of the vote[2]. Yet, despite these electoral gains, internal discord appears to overshadow these successes[5].
The implications of Ramelow’s potential departure are significant for the Left Party. As a veteran and influential figure, his exit could deepen existing fractures and signal a crisis of identity and direction within the party[1][5].
The political general-news continues to revolve around Bodo Ramelow as he aims to become the deputy president of the Bundestag, a move that could significantly shift the dynamics of the Left Party. Amidst speculations about his dissatisfaction with the party's direction, Ramelow's recently penned journal entries hint at a profound disenchantment with the Left Party, raising questions about his potential exit and the potential repercussions for the party's unity and future.
