Germany Divided Over Nationwide Fireworks Ban After New Year's Incidents

A petition with over two million signatures calls for a ban, but 11 states oppose restrictions on private fireworks use.

A petition for a nationwide ban on private fireworks, supported by the Berlin Police and Deutsche Umwelthilfe, has been submitted to the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
The petition cites safety concerns, environmental damage, and risks to emergency responders as key reasons for the proposed ban.
Eleven German states, including Bavaria and Saxony, oppose a ban, arguing that most citizens use fireworks responsibly and prefer stricter enforcement against illegal pyrotechnics.
Bremen is the only state openly supporting a ban, with Berlin proposing limited 'pyro zones' where fireworks would be allowed under controlled conditions.
States like Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein remain undecided, emphasizing the need for a unified national policy if restrictions are implemented.