The co-leader of Germany's Left party (Die Linke), Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, announced her resignation on Wednesday amid accusations of sexism within party.

"The handling of sexism in our own ranks has exposed glaring deficits in our party," Hennig-Wellsow said in a statement. "I apologize to those affected and support all efforts that are now necessary to make the Left a party in which sexism has no place."

Hennig-Wellsow's resignation comes days after German news magazine Der Spiegel detailed allegations of sexual violence in the Left party in the federal state of Hesse.

The report implicated Janine Wissler, who is Hennig-Wellsow's fellow co-leader, as one of the accused.

On Wednesday, Hennig-Wellsow also cited personal issues and problems within her party as reasons for her resignation. "Renewal is necessary, and the party needs new faces to be credible," she said.