Left Party Chairpersons Step Down: Making Way for Fresh Faces and New Ideas
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Saying goodbye to the past, the Left Party's leaders in Saxony are ready for a change, signaling a new era for the party. At a press conference in Dresden, Susanne Schaper, the current chairperson, noted, "We were the faces of the party during some of our toughest times – the pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the BSW's exit from the Left Party."
Co-chairman Stephan Hartmann echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the hard work that has led to positive election results and polling data. Yet, they believe it's time to pass the baton, as the party requires fresh perspectives. Schaper declared, "We've given it our all for six years, and it's time for new faces to take the helm."
With a focus on the state parliament fraction, Hartmann and Schaper will be stepping down at their party conference in Leipzig this weekend, paving the way for a new leadership team. Over the past six years, their efforts have grown the state association from an membership base of 5,000 to a staggering 11,000 – even surpassing the CDU prior to the federal election in February.
The growth is not without its challenges, however, particularly on a structural level, as Schaper notes, such as finding spaces for members to connect. Despite these hurdles, Schaper expressed her gratitude, saying, "We feel a sense of achievement to be the party with the most members in Saxony."
Four candidates emerge for top positionsFour candidates have decided to take up the challenge of leading the party: current deputy chairwoman Anja Eichhorn and former state parliament member Marco Böhme have joined forces, while Silvio Lang, chairman of the Bautzen district association, and Marika Tandler-Walenta, former member of the state parliament, have chosen to run individually for the double leadership positions.
The party's strategy up until 2029With renewed energy and focus, Hartmann and Schaper will be proposing a guiding motion at their party conference, focusing on the years leading up to the 2029 state election. The motion outlines three primary goals: to maintain the party's position as the most populous in Saxony, to increase its presence on a local level, and to achieve at least a two-digit result in the state elections. The momentum and determination are palpable, and the Left Party is poised for a fresh start.
- Anja Eichhorn
- Marco Böhme
- Silvio Lang
- Marika Tandler-Walenta
- Dresden
- Leipzig
- Saxony
- Growth
- Challenges
- State Elections
- Amidst the transition, the Left Party's leaders in Saxony have been tasked with submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, with the party's new focus on policy-and-legislation in the general news.
- As policy-and-legislation becomes a key priority for the new leadership, the upcoming party conference in Leipzig will not only decide the new faces leading the party but also discuss strategies to maintain the party's position in Saxony and increase its local presence, while also addressing the challenges of growth, including finding spaces for members to connect, all leading up to the state elections in 2029.
