Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht Undergoes Leadership Change and Rebranding

At its third federal congress in Magdeburg, the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party saw significant changes, with leader Sahra Wagenknecht announcing her resignation amid reflections on past internal challenges. Wagenknecht cited restrictive membership policies as a mistake that alienated potential supporters, despite the party's growth from about 1,000 to 11,000 members. She characterized this phase as the party's most difficult yet and emphasized unity against military escalation with Russia as a common ground among members.

New co-chairs Fabio de Masi and Amira Mohamed Ali were elected with strong support, receiving 93.3% and 82.6% of votes respectively. The party is set to rebrand as "Bündnis Soziale Gerechtigkeit und Wirtschaftliche Vernunft" by October 2026, maintaining the BSW abbreviation. Wagenknecht will remain involved by leading a values commission aimed at balancing diversity and core party principles.

The party narrowly missed entering the Bundestag, falling just 9,529 votes short of the 5% threshold, a result Wagenknecht has challenged by requesting a recount, which was dismissed by election authorities. Internal conflicts persist, especially regarding coalition strategies and relations with the AfD, with some members favoring cooperation to prevent an AfD government, while others, including Wagenknecht, reject such alliances. Tensions involving the Thüringen faction underline ongoing struggles over the party's direction and identity.