Jan van Aken steps down as Left Party co-leader due to health

Left Party co-leader Jan van Aken will not seek re-election as party chairman in June due to health reasons. Van Aken, who cited his health as the reason for stepping down, will continue to serve in the Bundestag until the end of the legislative period. He had been co-leader since 2024, during which the party saw an increase in membership and election results. The party will need to elect a new leader at its federal party conference in Potsdam in June. Van Aken, a biologist and former UN weapons inspector, stated he needs to focus on his health but is not facing a life-threatening illness.