Conservative individuals in Thuringia are causing issues for clubs.
The political climate in Thuringia is affecting the recruitment process for sports teams, specifically in basketball. Coaches from Jena and Erfurt teams have reported issues with prospective German players, particularly those with families, expressing concerns during transfer negotiations. Björn Harmsen, coach of the second-division Jena team, noted that the "right-wing shift and political development" is becoming a more significant factor.
Current polls suggest the far-right extremist party, AfD, is leading in the upcoming September elections in Thuringia, with 30% of the votes. This is followed by the CDU with 21% and the BSW.
Florian Gut, coach of the third-division Erfurt team, shares similar experiences. He finds that the shift to the right is problematic during negotiations with young, German players with a migration background. Both players and their families often bring up the topic early in discussions. Concerns about racism and the strengthening of right-wing extremists are prevalent, leading to a lot of uncertainty, especially in Thuringia.
Harmsen and Gut have personal experiences with right-wing extremism, although it's been in the past. However, they see it as a warning sign. "There must be certain values and norms everyone adheres to. If the boundaries keep getting crossed and this gets accepted as the norm – that can't be," said Harmsen. He also noted an increasing acceptance of populism. "There must be basic rules, and they shouldn't shift that much," he added.
According to Gut, unity is key to combating this issue. "But it's important that we strengthen our societal cohesion and don't let ourselves be divided by right-wing populists who try to exploit people's dissatisfaction," the coach emphasized.
The concerns expressed by coaches in Thuringia's sports teams extend beyond basketball, as many athletes in various sports have mentioned the impact of the political climate on their decisions. The rising popularity of right-wing parties like AfD in sports negotiations can Lead to uncomfortable discussions about politics and potential discrimination.
