Liberale Gamer and Pixelgrüne Criticise Non-Recognition of Esports
– 2 min read
The Liberale Gamer e.V. and Pixelgrüne have criticised the German government's decision not to recognise the non-profit status of esports clubs in the annual tax law. This time the criticism comes from within the ranks of the governing parties.
The criticism that the non-profit status for esports clubs was not included in the annual tax law continues. Liberale Gamer e.V. and Pixelgrüne have issued a joint press release on the federal government's decision. Both call on the government to implement the coalition agreement and finally put its promises and words into action.
"This approach damages the reliability of political promises and the seriousness of coalition agreements. It leads to political apathy among all the young people in eSports and the many volunteers. It creates the feeling that words are no longer worth the paper they are printed on," says Franziska Seitz, chairwoman of Liberale Gamer e.V..
"Non-political gamers often express the concern that they feel politics is very distant, especially when it comes to game-related issues. This has been changing for some time now. Many of our Green members of parliament are gamers themselves and work on issues relevant to gamers. Since 2018, the parliamentary groups of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP have positioned themselves in favour of the non-profit status of eSports. It is time to finally bring this important change into the legislative process together with the coalition," says Tim Junge, spokesperson for the Pixelgrüne.
They also point out that the ones who suffer are the thousands of volunteers, including many young people, who give their passion to esports every day. The last ray of hope for the non-profit status of esports in the Annual Tax Act II are the deliberations in the German Bundestag after the summer break in the parliamentary legislative process. The Pixelgrüne and the Liberale Gamer e.V. therefore appeal to all parties involved and the governing parties in the German Bundestag to find a cross-party compromise.
Liberale Gamer e.V. is an association of gamers and e-athletes with a liberal or libertarian attitude. It represents the interests and rights of gamers, e-athletes, esports, the internet and nerd culture, and is particularly concerned with the development of reform proposals on the subject of gaming and esports, with the aim of achieving equal treatment with traditional sports and representing gamers and e-athletes in politics and society.
The organisation Pixelgrüne consists of green and green-leaning members, including gamers, developers, representatives and stakeholders. They sees itself as a bridge between gamers, the games industry and green politics. The organisation is supported by the federal office of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and receives support from the party's state associations.
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