Seven weeks after the terrorist attack in Solingen, the three traffic light factions in the German Bundestag reached agreement on a so-called security package. It should be easier to deport refugees and easier to cut funding.
“We will moderately expand the powers of the security authorities, while respecting fundamental rights,” Konstantin Kuhle, vice-chairman of the FDP faction, said after the agreement in Berlin. Order and control of migration will be strengthened.
Agreement after weeks of discussions
In addition, measures in the field of gun rights are planned “to tackle growing knife crime in Germany”. On September 12, the Bundestag discussed the bills submitted by the SPD, the Greens and the FDP for the first time.
Parliament held an expert hearing on the matter and there was criticism of the security package, Kuhle said. “That is why there are now changes in the safety package.”
Terror as a trigger for tightening measures
The coalition will submit the changes to the draft laws to the Bundestag’s Home Committee next Wednesday, according to a joint statement from deputy faction leaders Konstantin von Notz (Greens), Dirk Wiese (SPD) and Kuhle. The aim is to adopt a resolution in the Bundestag in the coming week of the session.
The security package could then come to the Federal Council on October 18. The coalition launched the package after the Islamist terrorist attack in Solingen, which left three people dead in August.
Internal security will be strengthened
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was pleased with the agreement between the traffic light factions in the Bundestag. “Our security package strengthens the internal security of our country,” the SPD politician said in a statement. “After the murderous attack in Solingen, this is the right response to the significant current threats, especially those from Islamist terrorism.”
According to the deputy of the FDP faction, the changes have consequences for, among other things, the powers of the security authorities. There is an opportunity “for law enforcement and emergency response authorities to be able to do more in the areas of biometric facial recognition and automated data analysis in the future.”
The new powers could only be used after the federal government, together with the data protection officer, had clarified the technical issues. This protects civil rights.
FDP: The disincentives will be reduced
Kuhle emphasized: “The most important thing about this package is that disincentives to migration are finally reduced.” On this point, the federal government remains in agreement. As a rule, this provides for the withdrawal of benefits for people whose asylum procedure is carried out by another European state under the so-called Dublin rules. In such cases, those affected should be deported more quickly.
According to the FDP politician, it remains the case that people could more easily lose their protection status in Germany if they were to travel to their home country. “Both are particularly important to us because the crime in Solingen has shown that order and control in migration policy and internal security belong together,” Kuhle said.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
