Kai Wegner declares war on Berlin rioters
It is a lesson from the past year: with the turn of the year approaching, Berlin's mayor Wegner is relying on the power of the rule of law. He said that consistent action would be taken against riots. More than 2,800 additional police officers are to be deployed.
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner has announced decisive action against riots on New Year's Eve. "We have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that the rule of law is enforced," said the CDU politician. "We know that it can be challenging in certain parts of the city. I can only appeal to everyone: Let's celebrate New Year's Eve peacefully with each other, and let's also celebrate exuberantly," Wegner said. "But anyone who attacks police and firefighters must expect a very consistent response from the rule of law."
The police will have a strong presence in places where riots can be expected. "The judiciary will also be on standby on New Year's Eve to check arrest warrants or initiate follow-up investigations," said the head of government. "We are aware that the security situation in our city has been even tenser since October 7 than it was before. We know that," said the Governing Mayor, referring to the massacre carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups in Israel. "Of course, we are therefore looking at New Year's Eve with great attention. We have made sure that there are enough police forces on the streets of this city. That is a lesson from last year."
Wegner and Spranger on site themselves
Wegner wants to see the situation for himself: "The Senator for the Interior and I will be out and about in the city together. We will be at the fire department, we will talk to the Berlin police. We will go to police stations and we will also visit the police situation center." At the turn of the year 2022/2023, there were riots throughout Germany, particularly in Berlin. Due to attacks and firecrackers thrown at police officers and emergency services, more than 2,800 police officers in addition to the usual patrol car crews will be on the streets in Berlin next New Year's Eve, according to the plans of the Senate Interior Administration.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser fears violent riots again on New Year's Eve. "I'm worried that New Year's Eve could once again be a day on which we have to experience blind rage and senseless violence in some cities, for example against police officers or rescue workers," the SPD politician told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. At the same time, she expressed concern that the riots could be mixed with riots by radicalized Palestinians.
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Nancy Faeser, the Federal Minister of the Interior, shares concerns about potential violent riots on New Year's Eve, citing a possibility of senseless violence against authorities and the potential involvement of radicalized Palestinians.
Despite the escalated security situation following the October 7 massacre, which was carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups in Israel, Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and the Senator for the Interior will personally visit various locations in the city to assess the situation and interact with police and emergency services.
As New Year's Eve approaches, Kai Wegner, the mayor of Berlin, emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law, vowing to take decisive action against riots and assuring that more than 2,800 additional police officers will be deployed to maintain order in the city.
Source: www.ntv.de
