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Berlin's Prime Minister Giffey: Embassy for Munich
Photo: CHRISTIAN MARQUARDT/POOL/EPA
Berlin's governing mayor Franziska Giffey defends herself against criticism from CSU boss Markus Söder that Berlin is developing into a city of chaos.
"If 145 chaotic people mess things up in a metropolis with almost four million people, you can't conclude that all the other residents here are also chaotic," said the SPD politician to the "Berliner Zeitung".
Bavaria, too, has "a lot to sweep up in front of its own door, for example in the matter of Reich citizenship."
Giffey: "I don't give Mr. Söder any advice either."
On New Year's Eve, police officers and firefighters were attacked in several German cities, including with firecrackers and rockets.
The attacks were particularly violent in some areas of Berlin.
Union criticism of the Berlin state government
Söder said after the riots: "Unfortunately, Berlin is developing into a city of chaos - starting with politics, which can neither organize elections nor guarantee the safety of its citizens." CDU leader Friedrich Merz also criticized the Berlin state government in "Münchner Merkur". voiced.
Since the riots, politicians have been discussing the consequences.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) had said that she wanted to tighten gun laws, especially with regard to the purchase of blank pistols.
Giffey's five point plan
In the "Berliner Zeitung", Giffey named five points that needed to be addressed: faster law enforcement, more police and fire department staff and equipment, tightening of gun laws at federal level, additional investments in social and youth work and a special program for support and improvement of living conditions in large housing estates.
The debate about the riots on New Year's Eve falls into the Berlin state election campaign.
On February 12, the election to the House of Representatives is to be repeated.
There were numerous glitches and organizational deficiencies in the previous vote.
A coalition of SPD, Greens and Left Party is currently governing in Berlin.
In the most recent polls, the SPD, CDU and Greens are roughly on par.
The FDP parliamentary group leader in the House of Representatives, Sebastian Czaja, called on rbb Inforadio for a stronger judiciary.
More jobs need to be created.
The judges need more opportunities to respond to everyday issues in the city.
»A functioning constitutional state would be necessary.«
The SPD politician Raed Saleh, who leads the party in the capital together with Giffey, said of the Berlin criticism: "It is part of a coordinated strategy within the Union".
Merz and Söder tried to influence the election campaign in Berlin and "talk the city bad and ruin it with right-wing rhetoric".
sms/dpa
