Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – After the discussions about New Year’s Eve in Baden-Württemberg, Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) invites rescue workers to an interview. Strobl said on Friday that he wanted to meet the police, fire brigade, rescue services, municipalities and other stakeholders in January. It’s about the question of where things could go better in the country and about making sure “that Stuttgart doesn’t become Berlin”.
Strobl’s statement that it was “a normal New Year’s Eve from the police point of view” in Baden-Württemberg was met with criticism from the German police union, among others. “It was a big battle for the police,” said head of state Ralf Kusterer. The use of language is trivial. According to the Ministry of the Interior, nine police officers were reported injured on New Year’s Eve.
Strobl said on Friday that the situation was “largely under control,” even if every single instance of violence was to be condemned. “Unfortunately, for years we have also noticed increasing aggressiveness towards the police, rescue and emergency services in Baden-Württemberg, and by the way: not only on New Year’s Eve.” In Berlin, the escalations had once again reached a new dimension.
The opposition SPD accused Strobl of self-portrayal. “On New Year’s Day it was still a normal New Year’s Eve mission for the interior minister and now he invites you to the blue light summit,” said Sascha Binder, spokesman for domestic affairs for the state parliamentary group. The blue light organizations deserved more seriousness and solid action.
