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 together, even in a relaxed way,” said Wegner. “But anyone who attacks the police and fire services must expect a very consistent response from the constitutional state.”
The police will be heavily present 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 more tense since October 7th than it was before. We know that,” said the governing mayor, referring to the massacre that was carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups Israel had committed. “Of course we are looking at New Year’s Eve with great attention. We have made sure that there are enough police officers on the streets in this city. That is a lesson from last year.”
Wegner wants to get his own idea of the situation: “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 forces. We will go to police stations, we will meet too take a picture in the police situation center.”
At the turn of the year 2022/2023 there were riots nationwide, they were particularly violent in Berlin. According to the Senate Interior Administration’s plans, more than 2,800 police officers will be on the road next New Year’s Eve in Berlin in addition to the usual patrol car crews because of attacks and firecrackers being thrown at police officers and rescue workers.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser fears violent riots again on New Year’s Eve. “I am worried that New Year’s Eve could again be a day on which we have to experience blind anger and senseless violence in some cities, for example against police officers or rescue workers,” the SPD politician told the editorial network Germany (Thursday). At the same time, she expressed concern that the riots could mix with the riots of radicalized Palestinians.
