Critics Advocate for Extraordinary Assembly in Landtag Concerning Solingen Issue
After the lethal knife assault in Solingen, the duty of managing the aftermath falls upon the interior ministers. On Thursday, an exceptional joint meeting of the interior and integration committees will take place in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament. Both the SPD and FDP had separately petitioned for this special session. The SPD aimed for a joint session of both committees, while the FDP requested an exceptional session for the interior committee solely.
Angela Erwin, the chairwoman of the leading interior committee, scheduled this joint session from 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM on Thursday, in response to both requests.
The SPD's application drew attention to the assault itself and the background of the suspected attacker, who "resided in a refugee facility and was subject to deportation orders". The FDP's application, however, urged Interior Minister Herbert Reul to report on "present information regarding the incident and the state government's actions".
During a city festival in Solingen on Friday night, three individuals were killed, and eight others were injured due to the knife attack. The suspect surrendered on Saturday and was arrested. The General Prosecutor's Office is now investigating the case on the suspicion of terrorism. The suspect, a Syrian man, was set to be deported to Bulgaria last year, as his asylum application was rejected. He had entered the EU via Bulgaria.
Union calls for an exceptional session in the Bundestag
An exceptional session of the interior committee in the federal parliament will also occur at the Union faction's request, scheduled later this week, to discuss the Solingen assault. The Union is now demanding answers from Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, as stated by Union interior expert Andrea Lindholz on ntv.
The Union is seeking "all available information about the perpetrator and the incident in Solingen," said Lindholz, while also demanding knowledge about "the federal government's proposed actions, the interior minister's plans, and how she aims to enhance the safety situation in Germany."
Faeser must address these concerns and provide answers to the committee, according to the CSU politician. This should also cover the consequences of the fatal knife attack on a police officer in Mannheim around three months previous. Faeser must explain her response to these incidents.
The SPD's request for a joint committee session highlighted the suspected attacker's residency in a refugee facility and his pending deportation orders. Despite being set for deportation to Bulgaria last year, the suspect, a Syrian man, carried out the lethal knife attack in Solingen.
In light of the Union's demands, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser will need to address the perpetrator's background and the federal government's actions, including her plans for enhancing security and addressing the consequences of previous violent incidents, such as the police officer's death in Mannheim.
