Mannheim Councilor Julien Ferrat Proposes Swinger Party in City Hall

Julien Ferrat, a 35‑year‑old Mannheim city councilor who previously belonged to the Left party and now represents the voter group “Die Mannheimer,” announced plans to hold a public swing‑party in the city’s Rathaus. In a press release he argued that no municipal ordinance explicitly bans such events and said the venue is “centrally located.” Ferrat framed the proposal as an economic initiative, claiming a “FKK‑swinger‑paradise” could generate millions of euros for the municipal budget each year. He warned that if the city administration objects, he would take the case to the Federal Constitutional Court.

The proposal comes amid a deep regional economic downturn. Mannheim, with about 320,000 residents, is the second‑largest city in Baden‑Württemberg and is grappling with the insolvency of the historic Eichbaum brewery and large‑scale job cuts at BASF’s Ludwigshafen plant. Ferrat’s stunt has attracted nationwide media attention and sparked debate over the appropriateness of using public facilities for such events.