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Left-wing politician Jan Korte
Photo: Peter Endig / dpa
The dispute over Sahra Wagenknecht's views on Russia continues to rage on the left.
Politician Jan Korte has now warned his party of an imminent split.
"I appeal to everyone to stay and not to play with attempts to split, but anyone who wants to leave the parliamentary group or party should do so now," said the parliamentary manager of the parliamentary group of the dpa news agency.
"I expect everyone who stays to concentrate fully on our joint job." The "vile attacks" against each other must end.
The background to this are controversial statements by former faction leader Sahra Wagenknecht.
She had accused the federal government of "starting an economic war against Russia".
She demands an end to the sanctions against Moscow.
In their view, this would again lead to cheaper energy imports from Russia.
The party leadership, on the other hand, emphasizes criticism of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Mutual allegations followed, prominent members left the party in a dispute.
Korte calls Linken dispute a "play"
“While we are putting on a play, people in this country are worried about how they will be able to pay their energy bills or their purchases in the future,” said Korte, who has a key function in the parliamentary group as parliamentary director.
The left was founded for these people.
"For these people, our discussions of the last few days must feel like kicking ass."
For many it has apparently become a matter of course to be well paid and to do politics full-time, but this is a privilege, added Korte.
The party is supported by thousands of members who sacrifice their free time for party congresses and election campaigns and who give donations.
"We can now carry on as we have done in the last few days and in the end the left, this historically and currently so important project, is history," Korte warned.
»Or we use the time we have left to finally put an end to the vile attacks against each other, whether via newspapers or on social media.
To do this, all those involved must sit down within the next two weeks and make binding agreements on how to deal with each other.« He is also ready for confidential discussions.
col/dpa