researched and updated over time. Bartsch claimed that Gysi requested the creation of the file after the 2012 party congress to gauge support for Lafontaine among the new party executive, though Gysi denied this. Bartsch stated that the document represented the "relatively normal process" of categorising regional association and factions, not party opponents, and that he only used the term "Lafodödel" in a single email. He also claimed it was already public knowledge within the party in 2012, and the issue was discussed with the people involved at the time. Upon the publication of the Die Welt article, prominent members Jan van Aken, Martina Renner, and Klaus Ernst expressed outrage at the existence of Bartsch's document. References External links Dietmar Bartsch's homepage in German Biography by German Bundestag Biography by party Die Linke Dietmar Bartsch's Twitter account 1958 births Living people People from Stralsund People from Bezirk Rostock Socialist Unity Party of Germany politicians Party of Democratic Socialism (Germany) politicians Members of the Bundestag for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Members of the Bundestag 2021–2025 Members of the Bundestag 2017–2021 Members of the Bundestag 2013–2017 Members of the Bundestag 2009–2013 Members of the Bundestag 2005–2009 Members of the Bundestag 1998–2002 Members of the Bundestag for The Left