Coalition wants to extend special powers of the federal government in an "epidemic situation" again

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The gastronomy is open, but the mask stays on: The federal government wants to extend its special powers in matters of Corona

Photo: Ralph Peters / imago images / Ralph Peters

Despite falling corona incidences, the coalition factions want to extend the special powers of the federal government again after June. "We agree within the coalition to once again determine an epidemic situation of national scope for three months," said Union parliamentary group vice Thorsten Frei (CDU) of the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" and the "Stuttgarter Nachrichten". That should happen next week in the Bundestag. The legal policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Johannes Fechner, told the newspapers: "We as the SPD can imagine an extension of the epidemic situation until September, but not until the end of the year."

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert had previously stated that Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) considered it sensible that the “epidemic situation of national importance” should be extended.

At the same time, he pointed out that the decision on this is a matter for the Bundestag.

According to the Infection Protection Act, the Bundestag can determine such an "epidemic situation" and then remove it again.

The established situation gives the federal government the right to issue ordinances directly without the consent of the Bundesrat, for example on tests, vaccinations, occupational safety or entry.

Ordinances of the government usually require the approval of the state chamber, but unlike laws, they do not require the approval of the Bundestag.

Last extended in March

The Bundestag first established the "epidemic situation of national scope" on March 25, 2020 and confirmed it in November.

An "epidemic situation" exists "if there is a serious risk to public health in the entire Federal Republic of Germany," says the Infection Protection Act.

It was last extended at the beginning of March.

It ends automatically if the Bundestag does not renew it after three months - that would be the case at the end of June.

According to dpa information, the coalition factions of the Union and the SPD have already agreed on an extension.

This has nothing to do with the "Federal Emergency Brake", which is due to expire on June 30th.

This was subsequently written in the Infection Protection Act.

These are specific measures that must be taken at the district level if the corona infection numbers exceed certain values, such as exit and contact restrictions, requirements for schools, trade and leisure.

mrc / dpa