On 23 October 2026, CRISP, in collaboration with BetterPolitics, ran the simulation game ‘Who Rules Neuland?’ in English as part of Minerva University’s semester programme. Following a simplified federal election, the participants took on the roles of politicians and went through all the stages of forming a government: parliamentary group meetings, exploratory talks, informal discussions and formal coalition negotiations. The content was based on real party manifestos and current political debates; all names were fictitious. By the end of the day, a new government had been formed. In the evaluation, the students rated a willingness to compromise as the most important quality for successful negotiations.
Project Goals
- To provide an insight into the political system and the formation of governments in Germany
- To strengthen the ability to negotiate and reach compromises in an international context
- To encourage a change of perspective and foster an understanding of different political positions
Target Group(s)
International students at Minerva University
Planned Outcomes/Achievements
- A deeper understanding of elections, coalition-building and parliamentary democracy in Germany
- Enhanced negotiation skills and a greater willingness to compromise
- Experience of teamwork and collaborative decision-making under time pressure
