Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is calling for answers from Bavaria:
Following the tragic knife attack in Bavaria, the discussion surrounding its causes and potential repercussions is intensifying. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is calling for answers from Bavarian officials. Manuel Ostermann, a member of the police union, expressed his frustration, stating, "I'm tired of this political rhetoric".
In the aftermath of the incident in Aschaffenburg, where a 28-year-old Afghan allegedly killed a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man, politicians from nearly all parties in the Bundestag have responded. WELT provides a summary of the reactions:
Minister Faeser (SPD) has dismissed the Bavarian criticism directed at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). "Clearly, some issues arose in Bavaria," she remarked, highlighting the Afghan suspect who was supposed to be deported. She described the Bavarian response as puzzling, emphasizing the need for an explanation as to why the suspect remained free. Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) had earlier blamed BAMF for its shortcomings.
He stated that the notification regarding the Afghan suspect's deportation to Bulgaria, which was mandated on June 19, 2023, under the Dublin regulation, was relayed to the Bavarian authorities too late. Consequently, the timeframe for executing the deportation had lapsed, rendering it unfeasible.The German Police Union (DPolG) has strongly condemned the shortcomings of politicians regarding migration and asylum policies. Manuel Ostermann, the union's deputy chairman, expressed to WELT TV,
"The Chancellor has stated his frustration with the ongoing situation. If that is the case, he must take decisive action! I am tired of political rhetoric that lacks substantive measures."
Ostermann highlighted the inadequacies in national law and the current circumstances in Germany: "Every asylum application should clearly be deemed inadmissible, and individuals must be turned away. This is not occurring. There is no expansion of deportation detention facilities, nor is there an increase in the federal police's powers. The list of issues goes on." Commenting on the statements made by CDU chairman and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, he added, "Friedrich Merz is absolutely correct. It is now time for stringent and consistent actions." He emphasized that the federal police are prepared to implement these measures: "We are awaiting action!"
In a video shared on X, FDP leader Christian Lindner described the situation in Germany as a "genuine state failure." He noted that Aschaffenburg is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend characterized by "origin, conspicuousness, and the obligation to leave the country." This has led to a sense of insecurity among many residents, prompting changes in their daily lives, which he believes should not be the case.
Lindner advocates for a cosmopolitan and tolerant Germany that welcomes qualified immigration, but insists that it must adhere to established regulations and not compromise national security. In response to the recent crime in Aschaffenburg, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) convened the leaders of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Federal Criminal Police Office, and the Federal Police at the Chancellery on Wednesday.
"Following the tragic incident in Aschaffenburg, I met with the heads of the security agencies and Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser this evening, right after returning from Paris. We will address this case promptly and draw the necessary conclusions."
Scholz expressed his concerns on X, stating that following the revelation of the crime, he demanded an explanation from the authorities regarding the perpetrator's presence in Germany. "I am weary of witnessing such violent incidents every few weeks, committed by individuals who sought refuge with us," he remarked.
In response to the violent incident, CDU leader Friedrich Merz advocated for significant reforms to entry and residency regulations. "The situation has reached a breaking point," he declared in Berlin. "We are now confronted with the consequences of a decade of flawed asylum and immigration policies in Germany."
He rejected the notion that incidents like those in Mannheim, Solingen, and Magdeburg have become "the new normal," emphasizing the need for public safety. Robert Habeck, the Green Party's chancellor candidate, indirectly criticized the Bavarian government led by Markus Söder (CSU), stating that "the responsible authorities in Bavaria" must "immediately investigate" how the crime occurred. He noted on Instagram that the alleged perpetrator was reportedly required to leave the country.
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Alice Weidel, the AfD's chancellor candidate, reiterated her call for collaboration with the Union. On Platform X, she urged a Bundestag vote next week on "securing the borders and repatriating illegal immigrants." She insisted that the CDU and CSU must take a stand, asserting, "There must be no more fatalities at the border!" thereby implicating the Union in the Aschaffenburg attack.
