Freie Wähler on other topics

The Free Voters see grassroots sports as something that holds society together and call on all levels of government to support them. Sports should be open to all ages and social groups, including people with disabilities and people with a migration background.

The Free Voters want to support sports for everyone. Sports should be cheap or free. Clubs in rural areas should get help. People with disabilities should be able to join in too.

Sports clubs and facilities would receive support, especially in rural and economically weak areas. School, workplace and public-service sports would offer easy-to-access, low-cost or free programs. Accessible sports facilities would be built for people with disabilities, and inclusive projects would get funding. The state would keep a nationwide pool of sign language interpreters for schools and sports. The program justifies this with health, social cohesion and the integrating effect of sports.

The federal government would provide elite sports with all necessary funds, with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) deciding how they are used. An independent elite sports agency would make funding simpler and more digital.

The federal government should pay well for elite sports. The sports association DOSB should hand out the money. A new agency should make funding simpler. Big sports events should be able to take place in Germany.

Politicians would have at most an advisory role in allocating funds, while the DOSB would spend the money in a targeted, results-oriented way. The reform and the Sports Funding Act should come quickly to give athletes and associations clarity. Regional training centers would get broad scientific and financial backing. Athletes would receive help when injured and when moving into a career after sports. An independent agency would cut red tape and take over necessary administrative tasks. The program welcomes international sports events in Germany as long as local residents agree.

The Free Voters call for more state money to build, renovate and run municipal sports, cultural and swimming facilities, because the program says municipalities can no longer afford this. Significantly more instructors and coaches would also be trained.

Many towns have little money for pools and gyms. So the state should give more money for them. There should be swimming pools everywhere. More coaches should be trained too.

Financial incentives would make sure swimming pools exist across the country, partly so children can learn to swim. Municipalities would plan sports and cultural venues together with clubs and initiatives and would ultimately be required to do so. State funding for sports would be tied to a sports facility development plan, with similar plans for cultural institutions. Training for swimming teachers and lifeguards would get separate funding. Besides volunteers, paid staff are needed, and state positions or agencies are mentioned as an option.

The Free Voters want esports to be classified as serving the public good and see it as a complement to traditional sports. The program considers large esports events worthy of support.

Esports means competing in computer games. The Free Voters want to treat esports clubs like other sports clubs. They should count as nonprofit. That gives the clubs tax benefits.

In the party's view, esports trains team leadership, reaction skills and competitiveness. Major events such as “League of Legends” tournaments should be eligible for support because they strengthen community and tourism. Nonprofit status is also needed, the program says, to be able to provide professional coaches.