Riots - More police, judiciary on standby: Berlin prepares for New Year's Eve
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," the CDU politician told the German Press Agency. "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 be exuberant," Wegner said. "But anyone who attacks police and firefighters must expect a very consistent response from the rule of law."
Security situation in Berlin currently tense
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 Interior Senator Spranger want to visit the police
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."
There were riots across Germany at the turn of the year 2022/2023, and they were particularly violent 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.
Faeser fears new New Year's Eve riots
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 (Thursday). At the same time, she expressed concern that the riots could be mixed with riots by radicalized Palestinians.
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- Kai Wegner, the CDU politician leading Berlin's government, has urged everybody to celebrate New Year's Eve peacefully and respectfully, warning that anyone attacking police or firefighters will face a stern response from the rule of law.
- The head of Berlin's government, Kai Wegner, along with the Interior Senator, plans to visit various police stations and the fire department on New Year's Eve to assess the security situation and ensure that all necessary measures are being taken.
- Following the violent riots that occurred during New Year's Eve 2022/2023 across Germany, with Berlin being particularly affected due to attacks on police and emergency services, over 2,800 additional police officers will be deployed in the city next year, according to the Senate Interior Administration's plans.
- Concerns have been raised by Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, regarding the potential for violent riots to occur once again on New Year's Eve, with suspicions that radicalized Palestinians may be involved in mixing riots with senseless acts of violence against police officers and rescue workers.
Source: www.stern.de
