On New Year’s Eve, there were clashes between rioters and the police in several cities in Germany.
(Photo: dpa)
The state does a lot for security. But the firecracker attacks on the police and fire brigade and the riots in many German cities show the citizens that it is not enough.
The dismay of politicians after New Year’s Eve is great. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is “stunned” and “angry”. The New Year’s speech by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, who raves about the “attraction” of Berlin, has an almost satirical character. Anyone who followed Franziska Giffey’s speech had to believe: “With the power of togetherness” things are going well in the capital.
The day after, the SPD politician is appalled. Who could have foreseen attacks on emergency services by young men, often from districts with a high proportion of people with a migration background?
The answer is simple: everyone in Germany who is responsible for a safe community in cities like Berlin, Bochum, Leipzig, Görlitz, Essen or Hagen. One could cynically dismiss the reactions from politics as part of everyday life.
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Many citizens ask themselves whether they live alone among enemies in this state. He still protects her, but doubts about it grow on nights like this.
Uncontrolled aggressiveness rules
Berlin is an example of a development that has been taking place publicly for years. It seems as if a change of power has long since taken place in certain “legal vacuums”. While the state used to be responsible for security, today uncontrolled aggressiveness reigns supreme.
>> Read also: Riots, aggression and serious accidents again on New Year’s Eve
The citizens want a constitutional state, but not a right state. There is no need for the “Alternative for Germany” that primarily wants to stir up fear. But politics needs a different view of things.
>> Read also: German environmental aid calls for a complete ban on firecrackers
It must not be the case that the numerous serious injuries suffered by police officers are dismissed as an “occupational risk”. It is also unacceptable for politicians to moderate all the police’s suggestions for improvement, such as a far-reaching ban on firecrackers, just 24 hours later for fear of the voters.
Politics should once again read the bestseller Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson. The two US economists describe the causes of the economic and political success or failure of states.
One finding is that the citizens’ subjectively felt trust in the rule of law is needed. New Year’s Eve didn’t help.
More: Security forces appalled by violence on New Year’s Eve