Overview
- Bundesärztekammer president Klaus Reinhardt called on federal and state interior ministers to prohibit private New Year pyrotechnics, citing severe injuries, full emergency rooms, misuse against responders, and trauma for war refugees.
- A nationwide petition initiated by the police union gathered more than 2.2 million signatures, and an RTL/ntv poll reported 60% support for banning private rockets and firecrackers.
- With no unified federal decision, cities are enforcing their own restrictions, including broad no-fireworks zones in Hannover, bans at Bremen’s Schlachte and around UNESCO-protected sites, and targeted curbs in Braunschweig, Göttingen and Lüneburg.
- Authorities warn of penalties for violations, with typical fines around €200 in some cities, up to €5,000 in Bremen, and up to €50,000 under the federal explosives law in serious cases.
- Manufacturers and retailers anticipate strong demand, with Weco saying shop inventories are about 10% larger than last year and Comet reporting a moderate increase in supply.