The national leadership of BSW has urged its regional branch in Thuringia to withdraw from its coalition with the CDU and SPD, intensifying pressure on Minister-President Mario Voigt to step down following allegations of misconduct.

The BSW national executive board has issued a formal directive to its Thuringian branch, demanding an immediate break from its coalition with the CDU and SPD. The move is aimed at forcing Minister-President Mario Voigt to resign after his doctorate was revoked earlier this year due to alleged academic misconduct. Voigt’s appeal against the revocation was recently rejected, prompting him to file a lawsuit to contest the decision.

In its statement, the BSW leadership criticized Voigt for prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of the state and called for his immediate resignation. The board also urged its regional lawmakers to cease supporting Voigt and pave the way for a nonpartisan candidate to assume the role of Minister-President. This directive marks a significant escalation in tensions between the national and regional branches of the party, as Thuringia remains the only state where BSW is part of the governing coalition.

Katja Wolf, the leader of BSW’s Thuringian branch and current Finance Minister, responded cautiously to the directive, stating that the regional leadership would deliberate on the matter before making a decision. Wolf emphasized her commitment to stability during challenging social and economic times and expressed concerns about the potential consequences of withdrawing from the coalition. She also acknowledged the existence of differing perspectives within the party but reaffirmed her focus on serving the people of Thuringia.