Bundestag approves German “security package”
Published: Friday, Oct 18th 2024, 13:10
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The Bundestag in Germany has adopted the so-called security package of the traffic light coalition. This was announced by parliamentary vice-president Petra Pau (Left Party) after the last of several roll-call votes on the legislative package in Berlin.
It provides for stricter residence and weapons laws as well as more powers for the security authorities. The coalition of the SPD, Greens and FDP introduced the law after the attack in Solingen in August that left three people dead.
Part of the package requires the approval of the Bundesrat (chamber of the federal states), where a decision is also to be made today.
What it's all about
Asylum seekers whose request for protection is the responsibility of another European country under the so-called Dublin rules are to be excluded from state benefits - if it is legally and actually possible for them to leave the country. Exceptions are to be made if children are affected.
Weapons legislation is also to be tightened up. It is now made clear that the ban on carrying weapons at public festivals or sporting events also applies to knives, which are to be explicitly mentioned here in the Weapons Act in future. However, there are to be exceptions, for example for certain professional groups.
"We are banning knives at public events and enabling the federal states to issue more far-reaching knife bans. And this can also be controlled without cause," said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD).
The security authorities are to be given the opportunity to compare biometric data on the internet in certain cases. However, the search for faces and voices using an automated application should only be permitted if the President of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) or his deputy has this approved by a court. In the event of imminent danger, the head of the BKA or one of the three deputies can issue the order themselves for a maximum period of three days.
Some criticism
The opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary group would have liked more far-reaching regulations. "This so-called security package is largely ineffective," said domestic policy spokesperson Alexander Throm (CDU). The right-wing populist AfD complained about what it sees as a misguided migration policy. Clara Bünger (Left Party), on the other hand, spoke of ineffective sham solutions against extremism and Islamism.
FDP parliamentary group deputy leader Konstantin Kuhle admitted that the package did not go far enough, but was a step in the right direction. Konstantin von Notz, deputy leader of the Greens, defended the changes as sensible and appropriate. The CDU/CSU's demands in migration policy for blanket rejections at Germany's borders endangered Europe.
The refugee organization Pro Asyl condemned the plans. "This proposed law will lead to deliberately induced homelessness and destitution among those seeking protection," it said. Among other things, it is planned that people whose asylum procedure would be the responsibility of another European state can be returned there more easily.
The trigger
The suspected Islamist-motivated knife attack at a town festival in Solingen on August 23 triggered a heated debate. Three people were killed and eight others injured. The suspected Syrian was supposed to have been deported to Bulgaria in 2023, but this failed.
After the attack, the German government agreed to tighten migration and gun laws and to give investigators more powers. Following a hearing of experts, the coalition partners cut back on the plans. The SPD, Greens and FDP are behind the package now to be voted on in the Bundestag - more or less.
How many votes were cast by the SPD and the Greens?
The SPD and Greens were concerned that the plan would go too far. The three "traffic light" parliamentary groups together make up 415 of 733 MPs. They therefore have 48 votes more than the absolute majority.
There were several votes on the package, in each of which decisions were made on individual components - with different results in each case.
©Keystone/SDA
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