Overview
- Police and rescue services reported severe New Year’s attacks with pyrotechnics, widespread fires, and two deaths linked to homemade fireworks in Bielefeld.
- The police union’s petition surpassed three million signatures, DUH gathered over one million, and Campact launched a drive urging federal action to let cities prohibit fireworks.
- GdP spokesperson Benjamin Jendro urged a ban on private pyrotechnics and sales, proposing organized public shows and limited permission zones as alternatives.
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig submitted a draft law before the holiday to increase penalties for assaults on police, firefighters, and medical personnel.
- Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt remains hesitant to expand municipal powers to impose local bans, drawing criticism from Greens and The Left, while emergency-services leader Frank Flake argues existing laws should be enforced more rigorously.