Mass Resignations Hit Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW Party in Thuringia

A significant number of members of parliament from the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party have resigned in the state of Thuringia. Reports on the exact number vary between nine and thirteen deputies. Among those leaving are high ranking officials including Deputy Minister President and Finance Minister Katja Wolf, Digital Minister Steffen Schütz, and Environment Minister Tilo Kummer. Nearly the entire state board is also resigning. Despite leaving the party, the deputies intend to remain in their parliamentary group for now and have pledged to continue supporting the governing coalition led by CDU Minister President Mario Voigt, which includes the CDU, SPD, and BSW. Minister President Voigt described the event as a day of clarity and emphasized the stability of the government, while SPD Deputy Minister President Georg Maier noted that the situation presents a challenge that requires internal discussion. The resignations follow a dispute between the state representatives and party founder Sahra Wagenknecht. The federal leadership had previously urged the Thuringia branch to leave the regional government, a move the local deputies rejected. Katja Wolf cited disagreements with the federal leadership and criticized Wagenknecht for flirting with right wing radicals and the AfD. Sahra Wagenknecht responded by accusing the departing members of calculation and suggested the exits provide an opportunity for a necessary new beginning in Thuringia. Luigi Pantisano, leader of the Left party, characterized the BSW as a zombie party and claimed the project has failed.