Police chief makes it clear after the attack in Munich: There is "no guarantee" for a peaceful summit

Created: 06/23/2022, 13:33

By: Christian Fellner

In focus: Manfred Hauser leads the police operation at the G7 summit in the district.

© FOTOPRESS THOMAS VERY

Shortly before the G7 summit, the arson attack on eight police buses in Munich disrupts the peace.

In the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district, however, you have to be prepared for more aircraft noise and controls.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

– They are all propagating a peaceful G7 summit in Elmau in 2022.

Preferably exactly the way it ran in 2015.

With a few skirmishes on the sidelines of demonstrations.

Otherwise no riots.

Like a prayer wheel, those responsible for the emergency services, but also District Administrator Anton Speer (FW) recently repeated this hope.

That it will actually happen in 2022, "but there is no guarantee" - this sentence is also part of the repertoire of Manfred Hauser, the head of the police operation.

He pointed this out again yesterday afternoon.

At the opening press conference of the state police in the administration building of the Zugspitzbahn.

The background is a serious one: because the night before, in the middle of the general euphoria, there was an attack on team buses of the federal riot police in Munich, which had been parked in front of a hotel overnight.

A damper – in any case.

Because the action showed that the police are vulnerable.

G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: Despite all the precautions, violent actions must be expected

"We condemn such acts in the strongest possible terms," ​​emphasizes Hauser.

Fortunately, no colleagues were harmed.

But the incident also shows the president of the police headquarters in Oberbayern Süd that "despite all the extensive precautions, we always have to reckon with violent actions".

Hauser has no doubt that the attack is to be understood as a protest against the G7 summit and is politically motivated.

"We know that extremists will come to the summit in any case." Therefore, the emergency services are "not surprised by such actions.

We are prepared for it."

Confident and combative: District Administrator Anton Speer expects numerous short-term meetings.

© FOTOPRESS THOMAS VERY

In this case, the Federal Police was unable to prevent the destruction of eight team buses, which resulted in damage of several hundred thousand euros.

Hauser emphasizes: "We cannot rule out 100 percent that something like this happens because we are not able to have every vehicle that we use guarded by an officer." Whether such acts of violence also occur around Garmisch- Partenkirchen are to be expected, the police chief cannot give a definitive answer.

After the G7 attack in Munich: "Of course there is hope that something like this will not happen again"

"Of course there is hope that something like this will not happen again," emphasizes Hauser.

But he is honest: “Things like this come with events like a G7 summit.

These are people who want to draw attention to themselves with crimes.” Although in urban areas such as Munich, completely different scenes are to be expected, for example from left-wing extremists.

"The probability that it will happen there is certainly higher," emphasizes Hauser.

One thing is clear to him: the incident demonstrates that there is a need for an enormous police presence to secure a meeting of the heads of government.

"We need that presence.

There is a reason for that.” Even if the police often encounter a lack of understanding among the people.

"Of course we get calls on the citizens' hotline." But the top priority of the police is simply to guarantee security - for the summit participants, but especially for the people who live in the region of the venue.

Measures by the G7 forces are being intensified - more aircraft noise and controls

The locals will slowly have to prepare for a further intensification of the measures taken by the emergency services these days.

Because the work is not done with pure presence.

Hauser speaks of aircraft noise, but also of increased controls.

The closer the actual meeting gets, and thus also the arrival of the heads of government, which is due from Saturday afternoon, the higher the security standard.

"We also have to test the concepts," the operations manager clarifies.

also read

Aircraft noise, closures and more: Garmisch angry about summit meeting - "Shi** G7, thanks for nothing"

G7 summit: crash next to the Schlosshotel - Vienna pilot triggers large-scale operation - "I think we thought we were terrorists"

(Our GAP newsletter keeps you up to date with all the important stories from your region. Sign up here.)

That's why it will be louder over the Loisach and Isar valleys.

Numerous helicopters start test flights, the specialists familiarize themselves with the location.

"The highest possible standard is expected of us as the host country," emphasizes Hauser.

Especially in times “when we are at war in Europe.

You have to understand the sensitivity in our partner countries."

Basically, Hauser only has one piece of good news for the citizens of the region: "We have to communicate very clearly: This will pass again!"

With immediate effect, the following applies to road traffic in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: take your ID with you

It might be quieter on the streets these days.

Because on Thursday, the control measures will be strengthened, and national traffic will also be diverted.

But: "Despite all efforts, temporary disabilities for residents will probably not be avoidable."

G7 summit in Elmau: The history of the protests against globalization

View photo gallery

Especially on the days of the summit, when the protocol route (Bundesstraße 2) could become the focus of attention for transporting state guests in bad flying weather, but also before that.

Hauser advises all locals not to get into a car without ID from today, Thursday.

"That speeds up checks immensely."

You can find more current news from the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at Merkur.de/Garmisch-Partenkirchen.