A former EU parliamentarian, Friedrich Pürner, has left the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party, citing disappointment and disillusionment with the party’s values and goals. In an interview with the Cicero magazine, Pürner listed the reasons for his departure as “cliques, nepotism and intrigue.” He stated that he could no longer identify with the party’s values and that the party had changed for the worse within a year of its founding.
Pürner also criticized the party’s leadership, particularly Sahra Wagenknecht and her inner circle, accusing them of autocratic structures and questionable methods. He expressed his inability to continue supporting the party’s actions, including the treatment of dissenting members and stated that he would not campaign for the party anymore.
Pürner suggested that the party’s name was chosen to make the BSW more known and popular and that it would be easier for Wagenknecht to stay in power if the party were to enter the Bundestag. He also expressed a suspicion that Wagenknecht might be removed from the party leadership if the party were to gain a seat in the Bundestag.
The former parliamentarian also criticized the party’s leadership for having little people skills, being too busy with party business and not having the time to observe and manage the party’s internal structures. He stated that he would not return his mandate, as he still stood by the party’s pre-election promises and that he would not let down the trust placed in him.
Pürner’s departure from the party and his criticisms of the party’s leadership and internal structures have sparked controversy and debate within the party and the political landscape.