The Greens want to intensify the fight against organized crime (OK) after the federal election and make it a key issue. “Criminal groups threaten people with violence and cause economic damage in the billions” it says in the draft of the party’s election program, which the newspapers of the Funke Media Group (Monday editions) report on.
The effects of organized crime are felt worldwide, as it destroys entire states through violence and corruption. The plans include making organized crime harsher by further developing the criminal association offense into a “sharp and targeted instrument.” The security authorities of the federal government and the states should establish a “Joint Center for Organized Crime” on a statutory basis.
The Greens want to strengthen the relevant criminal police departments of the Federal Criminal Police, the Federal Police, and Customs. This is to counter the danger of criminal groups infiltrating legal economic sectors such as the construction industry or real estate, driving up prices. However, the election program also states that a sustainable approach to combating these criminal activities can only succeed in cooperation with civil society and must focus on prevention and education.
The Greens also want to expand the existing authorities to a financial police to combat money laundering, and it should become easier to seize assets from criminals. “We must hit criminals where it hurts them the most – in their money” it says in the draft. A nationwide service center should bundle expertise on the misuse of cryptocurrencies. In their election program, the Greens also announce that they will significantly expand the prosecution of serious financial crimes. Tax loopholes will be closed to prevent fraud cases like Cum-Ex.
The Federal Police, Federal Criminal Police, and Domestic Intelligence Agency should be better equipped, and the European police authority should be further developed into a European Criminal Agency with its own operational capabilities. With a view to terrorist threats, the Greens demand: “Top threats must always be in the sights of the security authorities, continuously monitored and wherever possible removed from circulation.” Extremist networks must be intensively observed by security authorities, and club bans must be consistently issued.