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MPs plan pause for run-in with USA

German MPs will stop work to watch their team's World Cup clash against USA on Thursday night - to avoid any controversial bills being passed by a few stragglers in parliament.

MPs plan pause for run-in with USA
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen celebrates Germany's 4-0 win against Portugal on June 16th. Photo: DPA

"We will stop proceedings in good time before the start of the game," said SPD fraction head Thomas Oppermann on Monday night, referring to Thursday's match scheduled to start at 6pm.

The idea is to avoid a repeat of the scandal two years ago, when during Germany's Euro 2012 semi-final match against Italy an almost-empty parliament session passed a hugely unpopular bill allowing authorities to sell citizens' address details to businesses.  

Much time and effort was wasted going back and changing the law again afterwards, when it was shown to be incompatible with Germany's strict data protection laws.  

Meanwhile, both the German coach Joachim Löw and German-born USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann have insisted they will only be playing to win after facing repeated questions about whether the old friends may have struck a deal ahead of Thursday's face-off.

The United States' 2-2 draw with Portugal in Group G on Sunday has left Klinsmann's side level on four points with Germany heading into their final group game.

A draw in Thursday's match in Recife would see Germany qualify as group winners with the United States finishing runners up – leaving Ghana and Portugal in limbo regardless of their result the same day.

That scenario has brought back memories of the notorious 1982 group match in Gijon, Spain, between West Germany and Austria. Almost exactly 32 years ago to the day, both teams qualified at the expense of Algeria after a mutually beneficial 1-0 German victory in which both sides went through the motions.

Current German head coach Joachim Löw was Klinsmann's assistant when Germany finished third at the 2006 World Cup and journalists questioned whether the old friends had struck a deal.

Germany's assistant coach Hansi Flick and defender Mats Hummels strongly denied there would be any repeat of the 1982 fiasco after being repeatedly posed the question.

"I can only say a concrete 'no', we've already said we want to win the game and that's how we'll play over 90 minutes," insisted Flick in Monday's press conference.

And Hummels said the Germans had no interest in anything other than a victory. "It would be unsportsmanlike to do that and not fair, besides we want to win the game," said the centre-back. "We're not playing for any result other than a victory."

Klinsmann echoed his compatriots by insisting there is no chance of similar skulduggery from 1982 – dubbed the 'Disgrace of Gijon' – tarnishing Thursday's match.

"You're talking about a game that is decades ago," Klinsmann said. "That is only a part of Germany's history and not part of the United States' history. I think if you look at the past of the US team, we always try to make things happen.

"We will go to Recife and we will give everything to beat Germany. That is our goal."

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POLITICS

KEY POINTS: What to know about Germany’s partial legalisation of cannabis

Cannabis is to be partially freed for consumption in Germany starting April 1st. Why is this such a landmark legal reform, and what new rules and restrictions are in place?

KEY POINTS: What to know about Germany’s partial legalisation of cannabis

Why is this a historic moment?

The law decriminalises cannabis and legally recognises it as a non-narcotic. Germany will become the third European country, after Malta and Luxembourg, to legalise adult recreational use. And the law makes it one of the most liberal among developed economies. 

READ ALSO: Germany gives green light to partially legalise cannabis from April

Only Canada, whose law allows individuals to buy from licensed retailers and carry up to 30 grams of cannabis, is more permissive.  

The cannabis bill also lowers the barrier for doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients. It will now be considered a normal prescription instead of a narcotic. Previously patients needed to have a chronic illness or be seriously ill to get a prescription. 

What is the timeline for legalisation?

Beginning April 1st, adults will be allowed to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis for recreational use. They can also keep up to 50 grams of marijuana at home and grow up to three plants for personal use. Note that is three plants per person, not per household. 

On July 1st, adults can begin joining “cannabis social clubs” where they can receive monthly allotments of marijuana. And in the future, the bill lays out a plan to test out municipal five-year pilot programs for state-controlled cannabis to be sold in licensed shops. 

Can cannabis be purchased in Germany after April 1st?

There is no way to buy cannabis directly, as it won’t be available for general purchase in a store. Instead, you can grow the plant yourself or join a cannabis club this summer. The cannabis clubs can begin growing cannabis on July 1st. 

What will cannabis clubs do?

Cannabis clubs can have up to 500 members. Clubs can give members 25 grams of cannabis per day and up to 50 grams of the plant per month. For members under 22 years old, clubs can allot up to 30 grams of cannabis per month. 

For cultivation club members between 18 and 21-year-olds the level of THC -the substance in cannabis that gives you the “high” – will be limited to help minimise the impact of marijuana use on developing brains. 

Cannabis in Dresden

Martin Reuter, head of the Sanaleo shop for CBD products in Dresden’s Neustadt, holds a cannabis flower for sale in his hands. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Robert Michael

Clubs cannot sell weed to their members, but they are allowed to charge membership fees. Under the law, all excess production must be destroyed. 

Cannabis social clubs can set their own requirements for membership so long as the minimum age of membership is 18 and members can prove German residency. The law also gives states the ability to limit the number of clubs according to population density. 

Can you consume cannabis in public?

Yes, but there are some parameters. You cannot consume weed within 100 metres of schools, sports facilities or around minors. You can also only smoke cannabis in public between the hours of 8pm and 7am. 

How does the public feel about the law?

Germans remain divided on the new legislation with 47 percent in favour of the plans and 42 percent against the legalisation, according to a YouGov poll published on Friday March 22nd.

The law was also met with sharp criticism from doctors, legal professionals and representatives from some of the nation’s 16 federal states. The conservative CDU and CSU parties expressed consistent opposition to the bill on the Bundestag floor. 

READ ALSO: Why is Germany’s cannabis draft law so controversial?

What happens if you break the rules?

Minors who are caught consuming cannabis will be required to take part in prevention programmes. It is unclear what rules will apply to cannabis in road traffic, shipping and air traffic because it is still under review by expert committees.  

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