50 years, 17 governments and six federal coaches he survived. And it still exists: FC Bundestag. For half a century, parliamentarians from all political groups have been playing football toger. Including big names such as Helmut Kohl, Joschka Fischer and Oskar Lafontaine. From most diverse types of politicians, FC forms a team. The interaction works because footballers leave ir party affiliation in cabin.

With strong team spirit it could be over to club anniversary. The AfD sits in Bundestag. Now some of your deputies want to go to Jahn-Park – The venue of FC Bundestag in Prenzlauer Berg. Just as Parliament has to get accustomed to new from right edge and struggles for strategies – to limit, embed, argue? – A team of politicians, in which ideology has not played a role so far, looks for right way to deal with right-wing populists.

For example, spokesman of AfD Rhineland-Palatinate, Sebastian Münzenmaier, would like to kick in. Four members of his group have already registered. The libero sees in FC Bundestag chance to "dismantle possible prejudices against me and players of my group". With sliding eyeglasses and suit, Münzenmaier does not differ visually from or evening kickers from Bundestag.

Football is also about values such as respect and tolerance

But question of wher Münzenmaier is an average football fan now even employs courts. The District Court of Mainz sentenced AfD politician in October to a six-month imprisonment, suspended to three years on probation, for aiding in dangerous bodily harm. From judge's point of view, Münzenmaier had mixed up, as hooligans and ultras of FC Kaiserslautern fans of FSV Mainz attacked. Münzenmaier denies this and has appealed against judgment. Meanwhile, Bundestag has abolished its immunity.

The captain of team, Marcus Weinberg (CDU), emphasizes that association represent entire Bundestag: "Every parliamentarian is invited to participate in beginning of a legislative term." So that it does not remain in a one-time test training, all players must abide by "values such as tolerance, diversity and respect".

The left top scorer André Hahn is skeptical about possible new additions from AfD: "Football is always something special and unifying. I can't see what connects me to AfD. " The Social Democrat Mahmut Özdemir described his future teammates from AfD in election campaign as "right Rat catcher". So far, FC Bundestag has only met right-wing populists as opponents. The FPOe politician Heinz-Christian Strache ran for FC National Council from Austria.

Teams need harmony. How's that going?

The Parlamentself not only plays against colleagues from or countries. The politicians are against federal day's Driving service (2:2) or Confederation of German Nurseries (3:1). A renewed clash with initiative football fans could be a hotspot against right, which also represents a hobby team. The organization always takes a clear position against AfD – which is what Libero Münzenmaier inspires to send such opponents "with players of AfD 5:0 from place".

As with any team, matchday does not end with whistle of arbitration funnel. The game analysis under shower, isotonic beer in cabin and common journey home – all se rituals live in harmony in troupe, both for professionals and amateurs alike. How can this be achieved if team does not only meet different policy styles – that has always been case – but one party is openly rushing against migrants, minorities and "cartel parties"?

The green Stephan Kühn also wonders. He does not want to belong to a football team in which players "openly racist or xenophobic" express mselves. His party friend Dieter Janecek finds that AfD act "basically racist". But exclude right-wing populists? A ban on football could lead to right-wing populists to stylize mselves as victims.

Uncertainty in dealing with AfD

Those who speak with members of current squad feel uncertainty and perplexity in dealing with AfD. Parts of team want to wait, ors want a debate on board. No one is eligible for a withdrawal at this time. The first training takes place after winter break.

In opening speech of Bundestag, president of old age, Hermann Otto Solms, warned against "creating special rules, limiting m or even stigmatizing m". Instead of defame. A piece of advice that could be transferred to football field.

But what about those who don't even want to be integrated? The AfD-Abgeordente Tino Chrupalla about. The painter and Lackierermeister won direct mandate against future Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer in Görlitz constituency. He would like to play football. But not at FC Bundestag: "I cannot agree with my conscience, nor can I justify my voters to play with Greens in a team."

Date Of Update: 28 December 2017, 12:02