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Like a lateral entry into politics: Spring School in the Mainz state parliament offers a change of perspective
They spend three days in the Deutschhaus in Mainz, the seat of the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament - discussing in committees, holding parliamentary group meetings and experiencing how majorities are formed and then shaken again: Over 30 students from 海角直播 Kaiserslautern-Landau and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz are taking part in a joint Spring School. Participants Lennard Reinke and Tabea Terbr眉ggen report that this has not only broadened their view of the upcoming state elections.
When Lennard Reinke stands at the lectern in the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament, all eyes are on him: the microphone is switched on, the excitement is palpable - but he is prepared. "The situation was unfamiliar," he says looking back, "but I wrote down a few key sentences and then just got started. Suddenly it was really fun to be up there in front."
What looks like everyday parliamentary life is actually part of a simulation game: In January 2026, over 30 students from 海角直播 Kaiserslautern-Landau and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz took part in the seventh Spring School, a collaboration between the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament and the "Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany" working unit headed by Professor Manuela Glaab from 海角直播.
Lennard Reinke is one of the students from 海角直播: he is a fifth-semester student teacher of social studies, Catholic religion and geography. Also taking part from 海角直播: Tabea Terbr眉ggen, a third-semester student teacher in social studies and German.
Students take on fictitious roles as members of parliament
In the simulation game, Tabea and Lennard swap their lecture hall for the plenary chamber: they slip into political roles with a clear position and responsibility. At the start of the simulation game, all participants receive a detailed role description with a biographical background and clear parliamentary group affiliation.
As soon as the roles have been assigned, the work begins: parliamentary group meetings, committee discussions, initial coalition talks. Positions are agreed, strategies developed. "It was a bit like a lateral entry into the life of a member of parliament," says Lennard Reinke.
Politics is not a straightforward process - this quickly becomes clear to the participants: "Then there was an immediate row in the coalition. Some wanted this, others wanted something else," reports Lennard Reinke. In the meantime, it even seemed as if the fictitious government could fail. "So everything had to be discussed first."
"It was simply extremely interesting to immerse myself in this world"
Tabea Terbr眉ggen also experiences how intense state politics can be. In the simulation game, she takes on the role of an executive parliamentary group representative of a fictitious social democratic party. Her job is to keep an eye on internal coordination and ensure unity. However, emotions run high during a committee meeting: "We got really deep into a debate," she says. "We became very vocal and others had to intervene to moderate."
Lennard Reinke and Tabea Terbr眉ggen notice: What is discussed in theory in the university seminar room takes on a completely different dimension here. "It was simply extremely interesting to immerse myself in this world," says Tabea Terbr眉ggen. Although state politics is covered in her studies, it is difficult to grasp how parliamentary processes actually work. This is exactly what will change during these three days.
Simulation under real conditions
The fact that the simulation takes place in a real state parliament reinforces this impression. "We got the state parliament to ourselves," says Lennard Reinke. "We were checked, but afterwards we were in the Deutschhaus. And how we continued to work there was up to us." The students are sitting in the committee rooms where MPs normally hold discussions. They enter the plenary chamber and stand at the lectern. Tabea Terbr眉ggen also feels the difference. "If the simulation had taken place at the university, I wouldn't have been able to put myself in the same position," she says. The location lends seriousness to the simulation.
The common denominator is not easy to find
Multiple parties mean multiple perspectives - the participants internalize this very quickly. Discussions are not just formal processes, says Tabea, but also debates with different interests. Lennard Reinke confirms this: "Sometimes it's not so easy to find a common denominator at all."
Looking at complex processes - getting closer to the topic of state elections
"I have the feeling that I am now much closer to the whole issue of state parliamentary elections because I can better understand how the work is done," says Tabea Terbr眉ggen. The meeting with State Parliament President Hendrik Hering at the traditional fireside chat reinforced this closeness.
In general, with a view to the election on 22 March 2026, both are now observing developments in a more differentiated way: "You have a better understanding of everything that needs to be organized after an election," says Lennard Reinke. This is because political groups first have to come together, coalitions formed and committees appointed. What previously seemed like a formal procedure now appears to be a complex process of discussion, strategy and compromise.
Showing attitude and understanding - a change of perspective is "refreshing"
Looking back, one aspect remains particularly formative for Lennard Reinke: the change of perspective. It was "refreshing" to take on a role that you might not personally share. "You should sometimes do that in real life too, really put yourself in someone else's shoes." That doesn't mean giving up your own position. But it helps to understand others better.
Tabea Terbr眉ggen also takes away something that goes beyond specialist knowledge: "Practical thinking in any case." And an increased ability to engage in discussions. Good arguments had an immediate impact.
In the end, Tabea Terbr眉ggen draws a clear conclusion: "It really gave me a lot. Not just for my studies, but for my political understanding in general." Lennard Reinke also looks back with a smile. By the end, the group had become so familiar with the roles "that we could perhaps have done it for one more day".
Three days in the state parliament turned theory into experience. Observers became temporary co-creators. And parliamentary concepts became an understanding of how politics is actually created: step by step, debate by debate.