Munich mayor removes Left faction’s Oktoberfest table after slap

Munich Mayor Dominik Krause has withdrawn the Left Party council faction’s reserved table in an Oktoberfest beer tent for the rest of this year’s festival, BR reported. A woman seated with the faction is alleged to have slapped a city councillor from the Free Democratic Party after a debate about Israel and Palestine.

The incident took place several days ago in the council box on the balcony of the Schottenhamel tent. Krause said the festival was not a place for political agitation and called the physical attack on FDP faction leader Jörg Hoffmann unacceptable. He said violence must never be used in political disputes.

Left Party faction leader Stefan Jagel apologised to Hoffmann. He said the woman was a friend of a party member, had been at the table by chance and was not a member of the party or its youth wing. Jagel said those involved would no longer receive a table through the faction, and that the incident would be discussed at a district executive meeting. He also plans to speak with the woman.

Jagel said he understood Krause’s decision but regretted having to cancel plans for other faction guests who were not involved. The council factions traditionally have one or more tables in the tent’s council box, which they can also pass on to others.