Municipal leaders in North Rhine-Westphalia are escalating a dispute with state and federal authorities, arguing that cities should not bear the financial burden of heightened security measures implemented to prevent terrorist attacks at public events. Christian Schuchardt, Managing Director of the North Rhine-Westphalia Municipal Association (Städtetag NRW), has voiced his concerns in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, highlighting a growing disconnect between the escalating costs of security and the lack of robust financial support from higher governmental bodies.
The cost of safeguarding Christmas markets and other popular city festivals has reportedly surged in recent years, driven by increasingly stringent security protocols. Schuchardt stated that municipalities are effectively subsidizing these events, absorbing the rising financial strain while the federal and state governments remain largely absent from the funding equation. This situation, he warns, is transforming vibrant public celebrations into potential financial liabilities for cities and rendering event organizers vulnerable to significant losses.
The Städtetag NRW’s position is underpinned by a newly commissioned legal opinion that reinforces the argument that preventative crime fighting is the responsibility of state police and, crucially, the federal government, particularly concerning the prevention of international terrorism. Schuchardt explicitly states that counter-terrorism is not the sole responsibility of local authorities.
The association is now demanding a serious and constructive dialogue with the state government to determine how terror-related security measures can be guaranteed and how the financial obligations will be shared. Furthermore, Schuchardt’s call extends to the federal government, urging it to acknowledge its responsibility and actively contribute to the financing of preventative security measures aimed at thwarting terrorist attacks. The stance reflects a growing tension between local concerns for maintaining vibrant public life and the substantial financial commitments required to ensure public safety in an era of heightened threat.