German “security package” only accepted in part
Published: Friday, Oct 18th 2024, 15:40
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After a controversial debate, the Bundestag in Germany adopted the so-called security package - but the Bundesrat stopped part of it shortly afterwards.
While stricter residence and weapons laws are thus on the way, plans for more Internet powers for the security authorities have been put on ice for the time being.
The coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP had introduced the package after the knife attack in Solingen in August.
What the Federal Council rejected
The law, which the Bundesrat (chamber of states) has now rejected, is about giving the security authorities more options. They should be given the power 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 representative has this approved by a court. In the event of imminent danger, the head of the BKA or one of the three deputies should have issued the order themselves for a maximum of three days.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser reacted with astonishment and called the rejection "completely incomprehensible and irresponsible". The SPD politician said to the Christian Democrats: "The CDU/CSU is denying our investigative authorities powers that are absolutely necessary in view of the current threats."
Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) criticized in "Bild" (Saturday): "Nothing more than a speck of dust remains of the tough announcements, especially in the area of combating terrorism and powers for our security authorities." The population is being deceived by the package.
What has been decided
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 in Germany - if it is legally and actually possible for them to leave the country. Exceptions are to be made if children are affected.
In addition, it should be easier in future to exclude migrants from protection in Germany if they have committed crimes - namely crimes "with an anti-Semitic, racist, xenophobic, gender-specific, anti-sexual orientation or other inhuman motive".
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 ban knives at public events and enable the federal states to issue more extensive knife bans. And this can also be checked without cause," said Faeser.
What happens next
In order for them to come into force, all laws must be signed by the Federal President - which he usually does. This step is still pending, even for those regulations that have passed the Federal Council.
The Bundestag and the Federal Government could still attempt to rescue the failed "Act to Improve the Fight against Terrorism" by appealing to the Mediation Committee. The committee is made up of representatives from both chambers of parliament and can seek solutions in such cases.
Some criticism also in the Bundestag
The CDU/CSU parliamentary group would have liked more far-reaching regulations. "This so-called security package is largely ineffective," said interior policy spokesperson Alexander Throm (CDU). The AfD complained about what it saw as a misguided migration policy. Clara Bünger (Left Party), on the other hand, spoke of ineffective sham solutions against extremism and Islamism.
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 parliamentary groups are behind the package that has now been approved in the Bundestag - more or less.
©Keystone/SDA
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