Berghain
took some heat recently from Germany’s primary right-wing political party Alternative für Germany (AfD), threatening to potentially disband the nightclub for good.The initial proposal was submitted to the district office in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and requested a myriad of changes such as limiting opening hours from 10pm to 6am, and called for increased lighting and staff members.
The proposal referenced several issues with the establishment, including excessive drug use, sexual activity that leads to transmitted infections, and the tragic death of an American tourist who overdosed at the nightclub in 2017. It was released on Twitter by left-wing district council representative Maximilian Schirmer, demonstrating a call to action for users to oppose the requests.
Die #AfD möchte in #Berlin das #Berghain schließen lassen und den Darkroom ausleuchten! Na jetzt verscherzen sie es sich endgültig mit allen unter 40. #friedrichshain #Kreuzberg #techno pic.twitter.com/wQ7hkwtxLF
— Maximilian Schirmer (@MaxMenkenke) April 18, 2018
However, Frank-Christian Hansel — a founding member of Berlin AfD — confirmed that the proposal has since been withdrawn, tweeting out that the proprietor behind the request (Sibylle Schmidt) was “party-free” and that the demands were “neither the line of AfD Freidrichshain-Kreuzberg, nor the Berlin AfD.”
In response to the Tweet, a user pointed out that Schmidt is additionally involved in event management, speculating that she may have had ulterior motives for the proposal.
H/T: Mixmag, Resident Advisor