Turn of the year - Wegner: Berlin enforces the rule of law on 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 even more 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 wants 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 be talking to Berlin police officers. 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. At the same time, she expressed concern that the riots could be mixed with riots by radicalized Palestinians.
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- The CDU politician Kai Wegner, serving as Berlin's Governing Mayor, has highlighted the importance of enforcing the rule of law during New Year's Eve, stating that appropriate measures have been taken to guarantee this.
- Wegner emphasized that while celebrations should be peaceful and festive, any individual who attacks police or firefighters will face a stern response from the rule of law.
- With the city's security situation being more tense than ever since October 7, the police will have a significant presence in potentially volatile areas on New Year's Eve.
- The German judiciary will also be available during New Year's Eve to process arrest warrants or undertake further investigations, as per Wegner's announcement.
- Wegner, alongside the Senator for Internal Affairs, intends to visit several locations in the city, including the fire department, police stations, and the police situation center, to assess the situation firsthand.
- Last year, Berlin experienced numerous riots on New Year's Eve, resulting in violent attacks on police officers and emergency services, leading to over 2,800 additional police officers being deployed in 2023.
- Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, voiced concerns about potential new riots on New Year's Eve, expressing fears of senseless violence against police and rescue workers, as well as the possibility of involvement from radicalized Palestinians.
Source: www.stern.de
