Germany Wagenknecht party parts ways with founder's name
The German party "Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht" is to be called "Bündnis Soziale Gerechtigkeit und Wirtschaftliche Vernunft" (Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason) in future. This was decided at the federal party conference in Magdeburg. The abbreviation BSW is to remain. Two other name variants did not find a majority at the party conference. The name change will not take effect until October 1, 2026. This is justified by the upcoming election campaigns next year.
06.12.2025, 17:48
SDA
The party had already announced some time ago that it would choose a name without that of its founder, Sahra Wagenknecht. The personalization had served as recognition in the early days of the party, which was only founded in 2024. However, it was said that this was not intended to be permanent from the outset. The name now chosen was proposed by the party leadership.
The BSW as a whole is facing a turning point. Not only is the name being changed, but founder Wagenknecht is also stepping down from the party leadership. At the party conference, the BSW is looking for a common line on its political orientation and the question of whether it wants to co-govern in the future.
The party had its first successes in the European elections and the state elections in Thuringia, Brandenburg and Saxony in 2024. It is co-governing in Brandenburg and Thuringia. However, it fell just short of the five percent threshold in the federal election in February 2025. It has so far been unsuccessful in its bid to have the votes recounted.
