Thuringia BSW leader attacks party founder Wagenknecht over AfD rapprochement

Katja Wolf, Thuringia's Deputy Head of Government, has sharply criticized Sahra Wagenknecht, accusing the BSW founder of crossing a line by moving closer to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Wolf: "Wagenknecht Has Crossed a Line"

In an interview with the weekly newspaper Zeit, Wolf, who also leads the Thuringian state association of the BSW (Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht), warned that her party is "recklessly helping the AfD to power."

"With the rapprochement with the AfD, Sahra Wagenknecht has crossed a line. She is not only moving towards the extreme right in terms of content, but is offering herself to them as an option for power."

Wolf added: "I warn that my party is recklessly helping the AfD to power. For the BSW, there can be no fraternization with the AfD."

She described the AfD as "highly dangerous," accusing it of failing to represent ordinary citizens and instead acting in a "racist and misogynistic" manner.

Background: Saxony-Anhalt Minister-President Vote

Wolf's remarks come in response to internal party plans to allow the AfD's top candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, to become Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt. Under the reported plan, the BSW would not prevent his election through abstention in a possible third round of voting.

Rejection of Expert Government in Thuringia

Wolf also rejected Wagenknecht's demand for the appointment of an expert government in Thuringia, calling the proposal "undemocratic" and stating it "cannot be the right path for Thuringia."

Coalition with CDU and SPD to Continue

Despite plagiarism allegations against Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU), Wolf confirmed her intention to maintain the coalition government in Thuringia, which includes the CDU, SPD, and BSW.

Wolf dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, stating:

"The report that accuses Voigt of having plagiarized in his dissertation was paid for by the AfD parliamentary group in the Thuringian state parliament and is part of a campaign."

Criticism from Lower Saxony BSW

Wolf's statements drew criticism from the BSW state association of Lower Saxony. Co-chairman Holger Onken wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"Sahra Wagenknecht prevented the AfD from achieving an absolute majority in Thuringia in 2024. Now Katja Wolf is working to make Alice Weidel chancellor, so that Katja Wolf and Steffen Schütz can keep their ministerial posts."

Reporting by doli