Mannheim city councilor Julien Ferrat wants to host sex parties at city hall, arguing “group sex with city council members would be the ultimate in closeness with the citizens.”dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
by Diana Zapata • News Writer /Editorial Specialist
Published August 24, 2026
A German city councilor has sparked controversy after proposing a swingers’ party inside Mannheim City Hall, arguing that an unconventional event could bring politicians and residents closer together while promoting the city as a destination for nudists and swingers.
Julien Ferrat, a 35-year-old Mannheim councilor and leader of the local political group Die Mannheimer, has reportedly proposed transforming the southwestern German city into what he describes as a “nudist swinger paradise.”
The proposal has drawn attention across Germany and abroad because Ferrat wants the event to take place in the very building where city business is conducted.
According to reports, Ferrat argues that a swingers’ gathering at City Hall could represent an unusual form of civic engagement, claiming that intimate encounters between citizens and their elected representatives could bring the two sides closer together.
Julien Ferrat, 35, is the leader of the liberal Die Mannheimer (Citizens of Mannheim) party
Councilor Says Event Could Boost Mannheim Economy
Ferrat has also attempted to frame the proposal as an economic-development initiative.
He reportedly believes that making Mannheim attractive to nudists and swingers could bring additional tourism revenue to the city. His broader vision is said to be modeled partly on Cap d’Agde, the French resort known for its large naturist community and adult-oriented tourism.
Ferrat has reportedly claimed that the plan could generate significant economic benefits without requiring higher taxes.
The councilor’s proposal has already attracted interest from potential participants. Reports say approximately 50 people have expressed interest, although the final size, location and timing of any event remain unclear.
The member of the liberal Die Mannheim party is known as the country’s “craziest councilor.”dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Mannheim Officials Push Back
Despite Ferrat’s enthusiasm, city officials have not given the proposal the green light.
Mannheim’s administration has indicated that it cannot approve the event in its current form because key details—including the date, specific room and a sufficiently clear connection to municipal political work—have not been provided.
Reports also indicate that Ferrat attempted to have a notice about the event published through the city’s official channels, but the administration rejected the request because the necessary information was missing.
Ferrat has reportedly argued that there is no explicit municipal rule specifically banning a swingers’ event inside City Hall.
City officials, however, have questioned whether such an event would be legally or administratively appropriate in a municipal building.
Ferrat was elected as a member of the city council in 2024, having previously served between 2014 and 2019
‘Ultimate in Closeness With the Citizens’
The proposal has attracted particular attention because Ferrat has publicly linked the idea to his role as an elected official.
The New York Post reported that Ferrat characterized the concept as an extreme form of closeness between politicians and citizens.
His supporters may view the proposal as an attempt to challenge social taboos and promote sexual freedom. Critics, meanwhile, are questioning whether a government building is an appropriate venue for an event centered on adult sexual activity.
The controversy comes as Ferrat continues promoting his vision of Mannheim as a destination for naturists and swingers.
From Political Trip to City Hall Proposal
This isn’t reportedly Ferrat’s first attempt to combine politics with naturism.
In 2025, he organized what was described as a political or educational trip to Cap d’Agde, taking participants to the French naturist resort. Reports say the trip involved around 30 people.
Ferrat now appears determined to bring the concept closer to home.
If Mannheim authorities ultimately reject the City Hall proposal, reports indicate Ferrat has suggested that he could pursue legal action and potentially organize the event privately instead.
A City Hall Debate Unlike Any Other
The unusual proposal has put Mannheim officials in an awkward position: determining whether a municipal building could legally and appropriately host an event that the councilor insists is connected to his political and economic agenda.
For now, there is no confirmed City Hall swingers’ party. The proposal remains subject to municipal review, and officials have made clear that a formal application containing the necessary details would be required before the city could properly consider it.
💬 Overall Takeaway:
A city councilor’s proposal to turn Mannheim City Hall into the venue for a swingers’ party has transformed an obscure municipal debate into an international spectacle. Ferrat says the idea could encourage openness, attract tourism and bring citizens closer to politicians. City officials, however, appear far less enthusiastic.
Whether the proposal represents an unconventional economic-development strategy or simply crosses the line between private lifestyles and public institutions, one thing is certain: Mannheim City Hall has rarely been at the center of a political controversy quite like this one.
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – WHAT? Liberal German City Councilor Wants to Throw a Swingers’ Party at Mannheim City Hall
THE NEW YORK POST – Nudist German politician wants orgies at city hall: ‘Ultimate in closeness with the citizens’
DAILYMAIL ONLINE – German politician dubbed ‘craziest councillor’ wants to turn city of Mannheim into ‘swinger’s paradise’ by hosting sex party at council building
