The attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg continues to spark controversy across Germany. In advance of the Bundestag debate on the incident, Christian Social Union (CSU)leader Markus Söder is advocating for a restructuring of internal security. Meanwhile, Lars Klingbeil from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) is calling for the expulsion of asylum seekers who pose a terrorism threat.
The Bundestag will discuss the Magdeburg attack that resulted in five deaths and 235 injuries. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Weiser, Federal Criminal Police Office President Holger Münch, and Federal Vice President for the Protection of the Constitution Sinan Selin will provide insights into how the suspect drove a car into a Christmas market.
The aftermath of the brutal attack has overshadowed the election campaigns of the German parties involved in the federal elections. Markus Söder, the Prime Minister of Bavaria, emphasized the need for a “turning point” in internal security measures. He stated, “It is crucial to implement a new security package under the new government,” and urged, “We must finally wake up; we are living in a different time.”
Söder called for data retention, emphasizing its significance in combating crime and terrorism. He argued that storing data and addresses facilitates the identification of perpetrators, stating, “We constantly close our eyes and do not utilize the technical possibilities available to us to make the country safer.” He also noted that without American intelligence services, Germany would be blind. Furthermore, he expressed his refusal to form an electoral alliance with the Green Party due to their stance on immigration, saying, “For us, rejection at the border is fundamental, which is why it is clear that the Green Party is out.”
In this context, the leader of the SDP has called for the expulsion of asylum seekers who pose a terrorism threat to the country. Klingbeil stated, “Anyone who threatens to carry out terrorist attacks loses the right to stay in Germany.” He also noted that the Bundestag will examine all the details of the recent attack, especially how the suspect managed to drive a car into a Christmas market despite having previously made multiple threats to carry out such an attack.
According to the SPD leader, the interior minister of Saxony-Anhalt will face many questions. “For instance, why was the security plan not properly implemented at the site? It is clear to me,” Klingbeil said. “We must swiftly, consistently, and ruthlessly explain what went wrong.”
Klingbeil emphasized the importance of equipping security authorities with the necessary technology and personnel to effectively address threats. He cautioned against equating security issues with immigration, as this can foster hostility toward migrants—a strategy employed by the far-right and the Alternative for Germany party. Furthermore, he pointed out that right-wing extremists are using the attack to propagate hate, while conveniently overlooking the fact that the perpetrator is a far-right extremist.
