Greater security for Germany

The incident in Solingen showed that Islamist terror is among the greatest threats to Germany. The Federal Government has taken action in response to the cruel attack: Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann and State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs Anja Hajduk have presented a comprehensive security package. The measures included in this package are designed to improve the security situation in Germany.

Far-reaching measures for greater security

Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser stressed: "We have agreed on far-reaching measures. All levels of state must get involved to tackle the challenges we are faced with." It was key to tighten weapons law, grant the security agencies more authority, intensify the fight against Islamism and further accelerate repatriations, she said.

Federal Minister of Justice Buschmann added: "I believe that it is a highly effective, very substantial package that is highly relevant when it comes to improving the security situation in Germany, and enabling a more rigorous approach that reflects the reality of the situation, in particular in the area of migration policy."

Overview of key facts

Fighting irregular migration:

• In future, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees will be allowed to use biometric data to determine the identity of asylum seekers.
• Asylum seekers for which another European state is responsible according to the Dublin Regulation are to receive no more social benefits in future if the member state in question has agreed to readmission.
• A Dublin Task Force set up by the Federal and Länder Governments is to ensure that more asylum seekers who are already registered in another EU country can be returned to the responsible state.
• Individuals travelling to their country of origin will lose their protected status unless such travel is absolutely necessary.

Fighting Islamism:

• Biometric comparison for facial recognition will be made available to allow for easier identification of suspects.
• The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is to be granted greater powers to enable it to fight terrorist financing and control the flow of funds more effectively.
• During its term in office, the Federal Government has banned a number of Islamist organisations, and planning provides for further associations to be banned.
• Extremists must be prevented from obtaining weapons. Further agencies such as the Federal Police Force, the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Customs Investigation Bureau will therefore be consulted in future when weapons permits are to be granted or withdrawn.
• The Federal Government will establish a Task Force for Islamism Prevention involving both academic experts and practitioners.
• The Federal Government is going to call for Islamist propaganda on the internet to be fought more effectively at EU level.

Stricter weapons law and ban on knives:

• The Federal Government will be introducing an absolute ban on knives at local festivals, sporting events, trade fairs, exhibitions, markets and other public events.
• Knives will also be banned on buses and trains in future.
• The federal states will be granted authorisation to impose bans on knives at railway stations.
• In addition, handling of dangerous flick knives will also be banned.