The rise of the “Die Basis” (BfS) party, spearheaded by Sahra Wagenknecht, is entering a potentially transformative phase as Christian Leye, the party’s current General Secretary, announced he will step down to pursue a role as Deputy Party Chairman. Leye’s decision, revealed in an interview with “Welt” marks a shift in the party’s internal dynamics and signals a desire for a more substantive internal debate about its future direction.
Leye emphasized that his move reflects a need for the party to “sharpen its political profile” and “find itself stronger” – a statement widely interpreted as a critique of the current operational structure and a call for a greater focus on policy development. He explicitly stated that the demands of the General Secretary role were hindering his ability to contribute meaningfully to shaping the party’s core political arguments, indicating a potential dissatisfaction with the day-to-day management requirements.
The announcement comes amidst speculation surrounding Wagenknecht’s own future within the party leadership. Rumors suggest she may be considering a withdrawal from the party’s executive board, a move that would significantly alter the party’s public face and potentially represent a strategic realignment. While Leye defended Wagenknecht, praising her “high popularity and credibility” the possibility of her withdrawal highlights underlying tensions within the BfS.
Further complicating the landscape are internal disagreements regarding the party’s ideological positioning. Wagenknecht has reportedly advocated for incorporating conservative positions, a stance that clashes with those within the party who champion a more traditionally leftist agenda. This internal friction recently led to the resignation of Oliver Jeschonnek, a co-leader of the BfS in the state of Hessen, who deemed the party to be a “Left 2.0” – a label deemed problematic by some. Leye, acknowledging the departure, defended the role of former Left Party members in the creation of BfS, while also emphasizing the importance of embracing new voices.
Christian Leye, widely regarded as the architect of BfS, has played a pivotal role in its rapid ascent from a nascent movement to a politically significant force in German politics. His reflection on his own efforts – highlighting his central involvement in the party’s structure, organization and discipline during its formative years – underscores the magnitude of the transition currently underway. The potential reshaping of the party leadership, culminating in a “personnel tableau” to be presented by the BfS leadership team on Monday, promises to define the trajectory of this unconventional and rapidly evolving political force. The success of the new leadership will heavily rely on navigating the inherent ideological tensions while capitalizing on the momentum generated during its inception.