The impending conference of federal and state interior ministers is facing mounting pressure, particularly regarding proposed security measures within football stadiums. The Green Party has publicly aligned with fan protests, voicing strong concerns that escalating security protocols risk unjustly targeting supporters and undermining fundamental rights.
Felix Banaszak, co-leader of the Green Party, characterized the planned measures as a misguided approach, emphasizing the significant reduction in investigations and violent incidents within German football stadiums. “Fans should not be subjected to a blanket suspicion” he stated, citing statistics demonstrating the current security is already demonstrably effective.
A position paper released by the Green Party’s federal executive explicitly warns against transforming football fans into “test subjects” for disproportionate security interventions. The paper, reported by ntv, critiques potential overreach, specifically calling out proposals for comprehensive video surveillance and the implementation of facial recognition systems, which the party deems “error-prone.
The Green Party’s stance represents a significant political challenge to the Interior Ministers’ conference, which is expected to seriously debate tightening stadium security. The party advocates for a collaborative approach, prioritizing security concepts developed jointly by clubs, fan organizations and law enforcement, alongside bolstering fan social work initiatives. The core argument underscores a belief that enhanced security should be achieved through constructive partnership rather than through measures that risk alienating and penalizing a passionate and largely well-behaved fanbase. The pushback highlights a growing tension between perceived security imperatives and upholding civil liberties within the increasingly politicized landscape of German football.