Conflict-Ridden Left Party Gathers in Ilmenau for Leadership Overhaul
Thuringian Left maintains party leadership by reelection - Thuringian Left reaffirms party leader in re-election.
Get ready for a heated showdown at Ilmenau, as the left-wing political party, The Left, gathers for a tense leadership election (10:00 AM). The gathering will decide whether they'll temporarily loosen their strict hierarchy, a move that requires a three-quarter majority vote to alter the party charter.
The primary objective is to allow the incumbent chairman of the state parliament faction, Christian Schaft, another shot at the party leader position, which he's held since 2021. However, Schaft's been adamant about running only if a change in the party charter allows it. As the chairman of the Left's state parliament faction since 2024, Schaft took on this role following the party's shift from government to opposition during the 2024 state elections. The Left party elects its board every two years.
Besides Schaft, Ulrike Grosse-Roethig and Maximilian Becker are eyeing the coveted party leadership. Relatively unfamiliar outside the Left, Becker emphasized his contributions to party work "under the hood" in his application letter. As of the last call for applicants, more aspirants may still lob their hats into the ring at the Ilmenau gathering.
- Ilmenau
- The Left
- Christian Schaft
- Party leadership
Although fresh insights on the candidates and the congress's key points are limited, the Left party's recent resurgence can't be ignored. Post the 2025 German federal elections, the party has seen a massive surge in popularity, with high-profile figures like Heidi Reichinnek playing a crucial role in this revival. The party's growth has both internal contributions and external factors to thank, such as the CDU's controversial alliance with the AfD in the Bundestag[2][3][4].
The Commission, amidst the Left Party's leadership overhaul in Ilmenau, has been tasked with submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the party's renewed focus on policy-and-legislation matters, a reflection of the political landscape and general news. The party's stance on this issue, along with the outcome of the leadership election, could hint at the direction of their political policies in the near future.
