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ELECTION

German political candidate campaigns on Tinder

Like many Berlin students, Alexander Freier is an avid Tinder user, and likes nothing more than getting matches on the app.

German political candidate campaigns on Tinder
Photo: SPD Berlin/Joachim Gern

But he isn't using the dating app to find love – Freier is actually canvassing for votes. A member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), one of Germany’s two major political parties along with the CDU, he is standing for election into the Berlin House of Representatives in September, and the 29-year-old hopes that connecting with voters on Tinder is the way to do it.

Instead of using photos of himself on his profile, he is using images with his campaign slogans including “the city of freedom” and “Berlin stays gay”.

Freier has received around 100 'hearts' in just over a week, meaning that users have 'liked' his profile by swiping right. He told the Berliner Zeitung that the messages he had received had been “very positive”.

But it’s not just his policies that are getting voters excited.

“People have also flirted with me,” he admitted. “But I have to separate politics and my private life. What's more, I’m in a happy relationship!”

Freier explained his decision to take his campaign to Tinder, saying that it's good for politicians to “be where the people are”.

Marisa Strobel, press spokesperson for the Berlin branch of the SPD, said that candidates were free to choose how they conducted their campaigns, as long as they weren't violating the law or party statute.

It is the first time that a German politician has used the dating app as a campaign platform – but Tinder has previously attracted the interest of politicians in other countries.

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron had a meeting with the startup, along with other social media companies, in an effort to try to attract the youth vote in his EU referendum campaign. The news created so much excitement that Downing Street was forced to issue a statement clarifying that the 49-year-old father of two had not actually created a profile on the app.

Over in the US, two female fans of former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders were temporarily banned from the dating app for spamming matches with political messages. Tinder said: “We whole-heartedly support people sharing their political views on Tinder” and that people should feel free to “spread the Bern” using their app – a reference to the slogan of Sanders' supporters.
 

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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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