The G7 summit at the end of June of the seven most important heads of state or government at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria near the border with Tyrol also prompted the local police to make extensive preparations. 500 extra officers are planned, with larger demonstrations even up to 1000 can be deployed.
“But there is no indication that anything is planned in Austria,” Erich Lettenbichler, head of the Operations Department, told the APA. Opponents of the summit are more likely to voice their views in Germany so that they are heard, the official said. The 2015 summit, also held at Schloss Elmau, had a “different dimension” – especially since the Bilderberg conference in Tyrol took place shortly afterwards, Lettenbichler referred to the considerable commitment of executives at the time.
Stripes also in alpine terrain
Because Schloss Elmau is only four kilometers from Tyrol at its narrowest point, people will be on duty “including in alpine terrain with reconnaissance and security patrols” during the summit, which takes place from June 26 to 28. One will “watch” or “activists set up camps in the forest”. The focus is on the districts of Reutte, Innsbruck-Land, the city of Innsbruck and especially the nearby Seefeld Plateau.
Border controls, including airspace
The airspace is also affected by the high-profile political rally. Germany is introducing an “airspace restricted zone” at the summit, which also includes a “fixed part” of Tyrol – as was the case last weekend due to the economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. Air traffic at Innsbruck airport will operate as usual, but private planes or athletes such as paragliders will be affected by the restriction, Lettenbichler explains. However, air safety is a matter for the military.
The Austrian police will focus on the border crossings in the state. As Germany is going to massively intensify its border controls, it will also look into which people are not allowed to let the German neighbors in and check whether they are allowed to stay legally in Austria.
Demos with up to 20,000 participants in Bavaria
In Germany, the police expect demonstrations, but less than at other summits. Not least because that is when the NATO summit will take place in Madrid. There is said to be a demonstration in Munich where 20,000 people are expected. How many officials there are was initially unknown – at the summit in 2015, there were up to 18,000.
Safety zone of four square kilometers
A barrier of 16 kilometers was erected around Schloss Elmau, creating a safety zone of four square kilometers, according to the German news agency dpa. According to Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU), a pedestrian parking lot was converted into a helipad. Trees that stood in the way were not cut down, but dug up and used elsewhere.
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.
