Friederike Benda: New hope for the BSW in Brandenburg!

Friederike Benda: New hope for the BSW in Brandenburg!

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the state board of the BSW Brandenburg Friederike Benda from Birkenwerder nominated as a new candidate for the state chair. This is done at a time when the current chairman and Brandenburg's finance minister Robert Crumbach has announced his office. After the announcement to put responsibility within the party on a broader basis and to separate the ministerial and party management, Benda is acted as a potential successor. She is 37 years old and sets itself the goal of promoting the further development of the party. Crumbach emphasizes Benda's political experience and organizational talent and is convinced that she will successfully lead the national association. The new election of the state chairman is planned for July 12th at a party congress.

The topics that the party currently employ are diverse. The BSW criticizes the grand coalition of the Greens, CDU, SPD and AfD for investments in the armaments industry instead of education, health and social matters. The important concerns include the economic situation, high energy prices, the neglected infrastructure and a migration policy perceived as unjust. Furthermore, the party calls for a greater consideration of freedom of expression, the health system and the poverty in old age in the political agenda. The BSW sees itself as a voice for peace and justice in the Bundestag.

Overview of the Bundestag election 2025

With regard to the Bundestag election on February 23, 2025, the BSW will compete with six list places in Brandenburg, with Friederike Benda acting as a top candidate. The list also consists of the following candidates:

• Stefan Roth (regional planner, 37, Nuthe-Urstromtal)
• Elke Grabowski (lawyer, 62, Milmersdorf, volunteer mayor)
• Oliver Schulz (police officer, 54, Glienicke/Nordbahn)
• Elke Löwe (landscape architect, 67, Schipkau)
• Till Sickert (teacher, 29, Ortrand)

The upcoming elections are of strategic importance for the BSW, especially with regard to the challenge of overcoming the five percent hurdle. In this context, similarities and differences between various political actors in Brandenburg are particularly important. It should also be noted that Brandenburg is the only federal state in which list associations are legally permitted by several parties.

The political context in Brandenburg

In the run-up to the state election in 2024, the Pirate Party, the ecological-democratic party (ÖDP) and Volt, compete with a common list for the first time. The aim of this list association is to expand the voter base and effectively influence the community topics such as environmental and nature conservation as well as social justice. The state associations of the parties involved have at least 500 members, which underlines the political relevance of list formation.

It will be exciting for voters in Brandenburg, because political developments, the nominations and the upcoming party days could be crucial for the upcoming election. The BSW hopes to gain influence with a fresh management approach and new ideas under the direction of Friederike Benda.