BERLIN: Germany's hard-left Die Linke party (The Left party) plans to pick a new leadership slate in June, as it recovers from its worst-ever federal election showing last year and the recent departure of one of its top officials.
"In light of the serious situation for the party, we're convinced that the party leadership needs a new mandate from the party conference," read a Sunday statement. There were only two votes against the plan.
Formed in 2007 as a coalition of descendants from communist-era parties from eastern Germany and left-leaning western politicians,the party has made inroads in the country's east. However, it barely made it into the Bundestag at last year's elections in what was the party's worst showing at federal level so far.
Then Susanne Hennig-Wellsow decided to give up her leadership role on Wednesday, citing personal reasons and unfulfilled expectations about party renewal, but also concerns about the way the party deals on in its own ranks.
The last was linked to allegations of sexual violence between member sin the party's branch in the western state of Hesse.
Party members had already been set to meet June 24-26 in the central city of Erfurt to discuss their party platform. Now that meeting will include a leadership election.
The party had not been set to pick new leaders until February. Janine Wissler, who was left as the sole leader in a party that traditionally has dual leadership after Hennig-Wellsow's departure,will provisionally be in charge until a new leadership slate is in place.
The assault allegations will also be discussed in June, with party members hoping they can introduce some tools to prevent a repeat of such problems. - dpa
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