Solingen: Scholz Declares Swift Enhancement of Firearm Regulations - Gathering with Merz
In Solingen, Scholz declared that the imminent strengthening of gun regulations, specifically focusing on knives, also encompasses other related matters that require regulation. He emphasized, "This will happen swiftly and surely."
Scholz laid a white rose in tribute to the three victims from the previous day. He was taken aback by the incident, which is being investigated with a 26-year-old Syrian in custody. "We must strive to prevent such occurrences within our nation," said Scholz.
Previously, the FDP in the traffic light coalition expressed reservations about a proposed expansion of knife restrictions. However, following the incident in Solingen, Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) announced deliberations on this matter.
In response to deportation concerns, Scholz stated, "We'll need to ensure that individuals who cannot and should not reside in Germany are also removed and sent back home." Appropriate steps must be taken to evaluate "the government's potential role in contributing to an increase in such numbers, if necessary through legislative measures."
A meeting on refugee policy between Scholz and CDU leader Merz is scheduled to occur at the Berlin Chancellery on Tuesday morning. Initially planned, the talks will now likely be overshadowed by the renewed asylum controversy, according to "Handelsblatt."
On Sunday, Merz called on Scholz in an open letter to alter migration policy. Alongside other recommendations, he advocated for a comprehensive ban on admitting individuals from Syria and Afghanistan.
Scholz considers such proposals unconstitutional, his spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit clarified. "Such actions would violate the Basic Law and presumably also EU human rights regulations," he said.
After the attack, Green Party leader Omid Nouripour also advocated for swift deportations of criminals seeking asylum. "Criminals and terrorists have no place in this country," he stated. AfD leader Alice Weidel commented that the traffic light coalition and the Union are "faced with the rubble of their policy of uncontrolled mass immigration."
North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) announced a thorough investigation of the incident. Regarding the incomplete deportation of the alleged perpetrator, he stated, "If errors were made, they must be identified and acknowledged." Authorities face numerous challenges even in deporting individuals "merely within Europe."
On Saturday, the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the incident. On Sunday evening, IS reportedly disseminated a supposed confession video, depicting a masked man wielding a stabbing weapon. North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) urged caution in analyzing the video.
In the heated discourse, Scholz urged society to stand united. "We will not allow this unity to be shattered by evil criminals with the worst intentions, but we will pursue them relentlessly and tenaciously," he said. Similarly, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had previously expressed himself.
Concerns that the extreme right-wing segment of the political spectrum may capitalize on the Solingen incident in the upcoming state elections in Saxony and Thuringia on Sunday are now arising within the Union. Reul (CDU) stated on Monday on Deutschlandfunk, "I have my fears." Söder (CSU) had already expressed similar concerns on Sunday evening on ARD. A survey from the weekend brands the AfD as the strongest force in both states.
After the meeting on refugee policy between Scholz and Merz, the renewed asylum controversy might overshadow their discussions at the Berlin Chancellery. Following the incident in Solingen, a meeting regarding revising knife regulations could potentially be scheduled to address the concerns raised by the public and the authorities.
