- In Thuringia, the conservative faction encounters challenges in player transfers.
Thuringia's Political Landscape is Affecting Basketball Teams in Jena and Erfurt
Upcoming elections in Thuringia are causing challenges for basketball teams in Jena and Erfurt when it comes to recruiting new players. Björn Harmsen, coach of Jena's second-division team, shared his concerns with the "Thüringer Allgemeine", stating, "We're struggling to find German players who are interested in joining with their families, as they have reservations."
Election Process
According to a Forsa poll, the far-right extremist party, AfD, is leading in the upcoming Sunday elections in Thuringia with 30% of the vote. The CDU and BSW follow closely behind with 21% and 16% respectively.
Uncertainty and Fear
Florian Gut, coach of the third-division team in Erfurt, has encountered similar issues. He reported that potential German players with a migrant background, along with their families, often raise concerns during their conversations. "Are they scared of racism? Do they observe the rise of right-wing extremism? There's a lot of legitimate concern and uncertainty, particularly in Thuringia," Gut said.
Both coaches have experienced right-wing extremism in the past, which has left an enduring impact. "There must be specific values and norms that everyone adheres to. If more and more lines are being crossed and this behavior is accepted as everyday life – that's not right. That's why we discuss these issues," Harmsen said. He believes that populism is continuously gaining momentum and acceptance is increasing. "There must be fundamental rules, and they shouldn't be altered too drastically."
Gut emphasizes the importance of strengthening social cohesion to combat these issues. "It's essential that we fortify our social cohesion and don't allow ourselves to be divided by right-wing populists who exploit people's dissatisfaction," the coach stressed.
The election results in The Netherlands, if similar to Thuringia's, might also affect basketball recruitment, considering the concerns raised by coaches about far-right extremism and its impact on player decisions. The situation in The Netherlands could potentially witness a similar uncertainty and fear among potential players with migrant backgrounds if right-wing parties gain significant support.
