The SPD is increasing pressure on the CDU/CSU coalition partner to remove fare evasion from criminal law. Carmen Wegge, the SPD parliamentary group’s spokeswoman for legal policy, told the “Rheinische Post” (Thursday edition) that, “For us, it is clear: anyone who takes bureaucratic relief seriously should also say that Section 265a of the German Criminal Code no longer belongs in a modern criminal law in this form”. The SPD’s goal is to reach a mutual understanding with its coalition partner on this matter.
Wegge elaborated that the SPD has long campaigned for the complete removal of fare evasion from criminal law and the discontinuation of punitive sentences that replace imprisonment in this area. “Against this background, we welcome when the Federal Minister of Justice, Hubig, seriously examines a legal change, and we expressly support her on this issue”.
Meanwhile, the Green Party is pushing for a rapid decriminalization. Lena Gumnior, chairwoman of the Committee for Law and Consumer Protection, told the “Rheinische Post” that “the current regulation in Section 265a of the Criminal Code is unfair and discriminatory. If someone cannot pay an imposed fine, they can often end up in jail due to an equivalent imprisonment sentence. Prosecuting such trivial cases places a very heavy strain on the judiciary”.
The Bundestag is scheduled to debate two draft laws from the Greens and the Left Party on the decriminalization of fare evasion this Thursday. Stefanie Hubig (SPD), the Federal Minister of Justice, has recently indicated her openness to decriminalizing fare evasion.