The co-leaders of Germany's Left Party, Janine Wissler and Martin Schirdewan, have announced they will not seek re-election at the upcoming party congress in October.

This decision follows a series of electoral defeats and growing internal criticism.

The party has been struggling with internal conflicts, particularly after the split led by Sahra Wagenknecht, which resulted in the formation of a new political group, BSW.

This split has significantly weakened the Left Party, which only managed to secure 2.7% of the vote in the recent European elections.

Both Wissler and Schirdewan have acknowledged the need for a fresh start and have called for an end to the "destructive power politics" within the party.

As the party faces potential further setbacks in upcoming state elections, the leadership change is seen as a necessary step towards revitalizing the party's fortunes.