The Green Party wants to urge the federal government to strengthen coordination of civil protection across Germany. This will be put to a vote by the Bundestag’s Green faction this Tuesday, a story highlighted by the Tagesspiegel on that day.
In their motion, the Greens call for new legislation that would make civil protection a joint responsibility of the federal government and the states. Until now, only the Länder are responsible for this domain. The federal government should specify how many civil‑protection personnel are required and provide support to the Technical Relief Service, fire brigades, and volunteer aid organisations when necessary.
Green MP Leon Eckert, who drafted the motion, remarked that “the turning point in civil defence is still pending four years after the onset of the Russian invasion”. He criticised Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) for offering nothing concrete beyond announcements on civil‑defence matters, despite being accountable for the ministry’s budget.
“We finally demand that Minister Dobrindt make the overdue decisions needed to equip our society against current threats” Eckert added. The motion proposes that the federation creates an “Operations Plan for Civil Defence” and establishes a coordination office to give civil protection a stronger national command.
The Greens also advocate for an annual nationwide drill day. They propose that schoolchildren learn first aid in regular lessons, and that county administrators and mayors receive mandatory training in civil‑defence matters.