“We also rely on repression”
Wegner promises Berliners New Year’s Eve without a riot
October 24, 2023, 6:01 p.m
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Wegner is predicting that this year’s citizens will have a law and order New Year’s Eve. However, just a few days ago the capital again experienced riots in connection with the Middle East conflict.
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner has announced extensive measures to ensure that there are no more riots and violence on New Year’s Eve. In addition to more offers, for example in youth leisure centers, the black-red Senate is also relying on repression. “On New Year’s Eve, as on all other days of the year, law and order will apply on Berlin’s streets,” said the CDU politician in the afternoon following the third so-called summit against youth violence in the Red City Hall. “And we will enforce this with a strong police force.”
Last New Year’s Eve there were riots in several Berlin districts. In some cases there were attacks on police officers and firefighters, for example with firecrackers. The then red-green-red Senate was subsequently heavily criticized for the escalation of violence. Wegner announced that there would be close coordination between the police and the judiciary. “With additional public prosecutors and an on-call court on New Year’s Eve, we will also make it clear that we are very serious about consistent enforcement of the law,” said the head of government. “And that we are also very serious about committing crimes , punishments must follow immediately and immediately after the crime.”
Middle East conflict: riots in Neukölln
The meeting in the Red Town Hall discussed the extent to which measures agreed at previous meetings have already been implemented. This includes a number of social, educational and prevention projects. There should also be additional money for the projects of the black-red Senate.
The capital recently caused a stir with riots and anti-Semitic incidents in connection with pro-Palestinian events. In the Neukölln district, police officers were injured by stones, burning liquids and acts of resistance. According to police, “bystanders” also suffered injuries. Several cars and a truck burned in a residential area, and a tree also caught fire.