The Federal Chairman of the Police Union (GdP), Jochen Kopelke, sees the upcoming Bundestag election campaign as a major challenge for Germany’s security forces.
“Election campaigns and political engagement have become increasingly dangerous. That’s why we’re currently realizing that almost all political activists ask for more security and more protection,” he told T-Online news portal. The protection of the election campaign will undoubtedly be a massive task. He also demands more support: “Those who need more security must also invest in the police: in more personnel, better pay, and other benefits.”
The election date in particular complicates the protection of the candidates. “As the Police Union, we can only wring our hands in dismay that these advance elections will take place in January, February, and even before Christmas,” Kopelke said. The police are constantly strained due to their presence at Christmas markets, New Year’s Eve, and the fight against break-ins during the winter season and have no more downtime. “That’s a horror.”
Moreover, the digital security of the upcoming election will be a greater challenge. “The Bundestag election will be influenced by external factors, that is, by other states that do not look kindly upon us, hate us, and are at war with us in a hybrid war.” This will be “unlike anything we have ever experienced”. The police, however, have too few opportunities to combat these threats: “We often look on too much.”
The early collapse of the government also has consequences for the security authorities, Kopelke said. “The grand coalition’s collapse is a significant problem for the German police. We won’t get the improved legal foundations and new modern police laws we were promised.” Moreover, money that was already secured will now not be invested in the police. New acquisitions are urgently needed.