What the interior ministers are planning for more security

The topics of immigration, internal security and the protection of Jewish life in Germany dominate the fall conference of interior ministers in Berlin. But cannabis and skimming profits from criminals are also debated. At the end of their three-day meeting in Berlin, the heads of department of the federal states are able to agree on a number of issues. The most important results at a glance:

Immigration, expulsion and deportation:

Immigration: the ministers are largely satisfied with the announcement by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser that the stationary controls at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, which began in mid-October, will continue until at least mid-February. However, Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang criticized the German government's decision to only add Moldova and Georgia to the list of so-called safe countries of origin. It is logical "that the Conference of Interior Ministers has confirmed that Armenia, India and the Maghreb states should also be classified as safe countries of origin". The list of safe countries of origin must therefore be significantly expanded - also because this would send out a signal so that someone "without a real reason for protection does not set off in the first place".

Deportations: The conference participants are also in favor of amending the Residence Act to make it easier to "expel people involved in violent conflicts". The relevant section of the law provides for a special interest in deportation in the case of certain criminal offenses, such as those directed against physical integrity or sexual self-determination. The intention is to also include breach of the peace and incitement to hatred.

Deportations: The ministers are also asking the federal government to allow deportations for serious criminals and so-called "Gefährder". "Gefährder" are people who the police believe to have committed serious crimes against the state, including terrorist attacks. Such deportations - for example in cooperation with neighboring countries of origin - are very costly, but should nevertheless be attempted, it is said.

Anti-Semitism and Israel's right to exist: Due to the terrorist attack on Israel, the ministers suggest making the public denial and negation of Israel's right to exist a criminal offence. They are asking the Federal Minister of the Interior to examine whether the criminal law needs to be adapted accordingly, said Berlin's Senator of the Interior, Iris Spranger. This concerns slogans against Israel that have been chanted at demonstrations by Palestinian groups for many years. The interior ministers support the German government's plan not to naturalize foreigners "with anti-Semitic, racist or other inhuman attitudes" as Germans. Naturalization tests should be supplemented with questions on the special responsibility for Jewish life in Germany and Israel's right to exist.

In addition, some ministers are asking for "the examination of legal possibilities" for people with multiple citizenships who are convicted of forming a terrorist organization or committing another serious crime that endangers the state to lose their German citizenship.

Strengthening internal security:

Security at airports: Following a number of incidents in which radical climate protection demonstrators and a child abductor broke into outdoor areas of airports, ministers want to increase nationwide security measures, according to Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote. The airport operators are responsible for this. Tougher punishment of the perpetrators is also necessary. Under criminal law, up to now it has often only been a matter of trespassing and damage to property. However, disrupting air traffic must be assessed and punished more severely under criminal law.

Threat from Islamist terrorism: State Secretary of the Interior Hans-Georg Engelke emphasized: "We have an intensified threat situation, particularly from Islamist terrorism. We are seeing an increase in calls for attacks in the jihadist spectrum." The risk of further emotionalization and radicalization is also very high. That is why the scene is being kept under very close control and everything is being done to stop further radicalization. Since October 7, the Federal Criminal Police Office has had more than 200 channels and content deleted on the messaging service "Telegram" alone and has sent more than 1,500 requests to other providers to delete them.

Gaps in civil protection: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was also a guest at the conference. He spoke with his former counterparts about how the protection of the civilian population can be ensured in the event of tension or war. Everyone agrees that there are gaps here. However, there is still disagreement between the federal and state governments about funding. Unlike civil protection, which is the responsibility of the federal states, the federal government is responsible for civil protection.

Cannabis and the fight against organized crime:

Cannabis legalization: some ministers continue to oppose the traffic light government's legalization plans and have called on them to refrain from doing so. "Everyone is aware that the legalization of cannabis has a significant impact on security in our country, which is largely ignored by the federal government," criticized Hesse's Minister of the Interior, Peter Beuth.

The traffic light coalition parties have agreed on the details of a draft bill. Cannabis is to be removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Home cultivation and possession of certain quantities of the drug are to be permitted for adults from April 1, 2024. Joint cultivation clubs will also be possible from July 1.

Confiscation of criminals' assets: The ministers are largely in agreement that the assets of criminals - which have been obtained through crime - should be confiscated more easily. Spranger also emphasized this with regard to a recent court ruling in which the confiscation of a clan member's property was rejected because the judges did not see enough evidence. What is needed is the so-called reversal of the burden of proof, as in Italy, Spranger emphasized. In cases of suspicion, the owner would have to prove where their money came from. This is the only way to weaken criminal structures in the long term. Prison sentences are often ineffective and are even considered a badge of honor by some criminals.