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Pressure on Palatinate: AfD event in Speyer causes excitement!
Developments surrounding the “Pfälzerland” shipping in Speyer: AfD event causes public debate before the end of the season.
Pressure on Palatinate: AfD event in Speyer causes excitement!
The Rhine, picturesque and steeped in history, attracts not only tourists but also political events. The excursion ship “Pfälzerland 2” is once again at the center of a debate. The ship, which regularly offers trips on the Rhine, belongs to the passenger shipping company Streib GbR, which is operated by the brothers Werner and Christian Streib. The ship has enjoyed great popularity for over 40 years and offers passengers a relaxed atmosphere on their excursions, including from the pier on Helmut-Kohl-Ufer in Speyer.
However, on October 6, 2025, a day like any other, it becomes clear that not everything is going smoothly in the “Palatinate 2”. A public debate has developed, stemming from a planned event by the Alternative for Germany (AfD). They are planning a “citizen dialogue” in Speyer, for which the booking of the ship is controversial.Users have already sent the operators letters asking them to reject the booking.
The background to the debate
The discussion about the AfD event raises questions. The planned citizen dialogue is scheduled to take place on a passenger ship on July 6, 2024, with embarkation starting at 10 a.m.Here, members of the Bundestag such as Marc Bernhard and Markus Frohnmaier, among others, will provide information about the party's current initiatives. The trip to Iffezheim and back is free of charge, while drinks and snacks on board are available on a self-pay basis.
The controversy surrounding these bookings is not new. The operators of “Pfälzerland 2” are facing increasing pressure that calls on them to reject political events. The letters they received were also shared with RHEINPFALZ, bringing the debate even more into the public eye. This raises questions about how political events can affect established local businesses and where the line lies between business and political neutrality.
Is the curtain falling on “Pfälzerland 2”?
The “Pfälzerland 2” season ends on November 1st. But until then it remains to be seen how the ongoing discussions will affect the operators' horns. Shipping has a long tradition in the region and the company has a good knack for attracting the public. But the pressure they are under could affect not only bookings, but also the company's reputation.
It remains to be hoped that the situation will soon calm down and the “Pfälzerland 2” can continue to glide over the waters undisturbed. The future of political discussions on the water is still up in the air, while life goes on on the Rhine.