“The measures we have taken are showing effect!”

December 6, 2024

“The measures we have taken are showing effect!”

type:
News
, Date:
02 November 2024

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser visits Frankfurt International Airport and informs herself about airport security and return operations.

On 1 November 2024, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser visited Germany’s largest airport in Frankfurt (Main) to gain a first-hand impression of the airport security arrangements and obtain more information about return operations.

quote:

“The Federal Police are an important pillar in Germany’s security system – not only here at the airport.”

Nancy Faeser, Federal Minister of the Interior and Community

Measures are showing effect

At the airport, the minister praised the work and professionalism of the Federal Police in combating crime and protecting our democracy. She pointed out that the security situation remained tense, placing strong demands on the Federal Police and the other security agencies at federal and state level. According to the minister, irregular migration also continues to present Germany with major challenges. At the borders, at sea and on the railways, security is ensured by the Federal Police with its more than 50,000 police officers.

The Federal Government has already adopted comprehensive measures to reduce irregular migration. A legislative package to increase and expedite returns has been in force since the end of February. “The measures we have taken are showing effect: The number of removals has increased by more than 20 per cent since the beginning of this year”, Interior Minister Faeser stressed. The number of newly filed asylum applications is also down by 20 per cent. As a result of the internal border checks imposed by the minister at all German land borders in September, the number of illegal entries is also declining.

Bundestag approves security package

Furthermore, the Bundestag approved a comprehensive security package on 18 October 2024. The package includes amendments to residence and asylum law, weapons law and the Federal Act on the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesverfassungsschutzgesetz). It also comprises regulations to strengthen the security authorities’ powers to conduct checks and to facilitate the rigorous expulsion and removal of violent foreign criminals.

The “Bill to Enhance the Fight against Terrorism”, which requires the approval of the Bundesrat, Germany’s second legislative chamber representing the federal states, was initially rejected by the latter and is now subject to renegotiation with the federal states. It will enable security authorities to check data from the internet for the purpose of biometric facial recognition with a view to identifying and establishing the whereabouts of terrorist suspects and individuals who are suspected of having committed serious crimes.

Federal Police benefit from security budget

“The budget which we are currently discussing in the Bundestag really puts the focus on security,” Minister Faeser emphasised, declaring that it was planned to earmark an additional billion euros for the security agencies. “The Federal Police also stand to benefit from this. We are modernising their equipment and procuring new material. In summer, we ordered new helicopters worth 1.9 billion euros. Since the beginning of the current legislative period, we have created 1,000 new posts each year. And we will continue to pursue this course.”

The minister said that every effort had to be made to support the Federal Police which make an important contribution to Germany’s security and to limiting irregular migration.