parties
Left-wing politician Gysi: “It’s about everything for us”
Former Left Group leader Gregor Gysi. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The allegations of sexual assaults in the Hesse state association have not only plunged the left into a crisis. The former faction leader Gregor Gysi even sees the future of the party in danger.
Former Left Group leader Gregor Gysi sees his party in an existential crisis.
“The next federal election will decide whether there is a future for the left as a political party,” said the member of the Bundestag to the newspapers “Rheinische Post” and “General-Anzeiger” (Monday). “It’s about everything for us.”
His party needs a fresh start and a different way of dealing with each other internally. The argument must stop, but above all the nature of the argument: “There is too much dogmatism on the left, too much ideology. That doesn’t get us anywhere.” With a view to the suspicion of sexual assaults within the left, he said: “The left is a democratic, emancipatory party. Sexism has no place with us.”
Party leader Susanne Hennig-Wellsow surprisingly resigned last week, partly because of how allegations of sexual assault were handled in the Hesse state association. Co-chair Janine Wissler will lead the left alone until a party conference at the end of June. The board of directors will be re-elected there.