In almost every interview or appearance, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser presents herself as a determined doer and announces “tough action”. But in reality, little is happening, criticizes the Union. Faeser degenerates into a loudmouth minister.
When Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is asked about the current development of crime, violence or illegal migration in the country, she always announces “tough action”. And that is what is being asked of her these days. But does it keep what it promises again and again?
The SPD woman is currently confronted with numerous problem areas: On Sylt, wealthy young people shout Nazi slogans. Racism, anti-Semitism and Nazi fantasies are resurfacing in Germany. At the same time, violence in the country is increasing. Politicians are attacked just as much as Jews or people of other skin colors. A look at the crime statistics also confirms that foreign and juvenile crime is increasing sharply.
Faeser, Interior Minister of the traffic light coalition since December 2021, seems to have an eye on all of this. Left-wing extremism, right-wing extremism, clans and Islamism – she always presents herself as a determined doer and consistently acting politician when she is asked what should be done about these problems in the country. But if you listen more closely, you’ll notice: Faeser is making herself a loudmouth minister.
Here is a long list of Faeser statements that make this clear:
Faeser on the Nazi slogans in the Sylter Club with “Caren Miosga”: “Such forms of hatred and violence or intimidation that they no longer dare to express their opinions freely” are “of course boundaries have been crossed” and “then you have to also take action!”
Faeser on violence against politicians in an interview with BILD: “We need to discuss this quickly at a special conference of interior ministers and put together a joint package of measures for even more police presence on site, more protection and tough action against the enemies of democracy. I have already spoken about this today with the IMK chairman and Brandenburg Interior Minister Michael Stübgen.” We have to stop the perpetrators – “and the arsonists who want to set our democracy on fire. We won’t back down an inch.”
Faeser on crime statistics and the figures on foreign and juvenile crime: She called for “tougher action against violence”. The sharp increase in violent crime is unacceptable. With regard to the high proportion of foreign crime, she said: “Anyone who doesn’t follow the rules has to leave.” One has to talk about the topic “without shyness and without resentment”.
Faeser about right-wing networks and clans when presenting the new “package of measures to protect democracy and combat right-wing extremism”: “We must do everything in our power to prevent this inhumane ideology from further eating into our society.” The danger of right-wing extremism must be addressed roots are grabbed. To this end, “all instruments of the rule of law” should be used.
Faeser about clans in an interview with Bild am Sonntag: In view of increasing violence from clans and rocker gangs, Faeser also announced a “tougher crackdown” here. “For far too long there has been a lack of decisive action here,” she said. This requires “a tough response from the constitutional state”. And further: “Nobody is allowed to allow isolated parallel worlds. These highly criminal clan structures must not be allowed to become more entrenched. On the contrary: it is important to uncover and destroy them.”
Faeser about left-wing radicalism to the dpa: “It is a phenomenon that we have already seen in recent years that left-wing radicalism is becoming harder and more violent. Tough action must now be taken, that means the rule of law must take action and severe punishments must also be felt.
Faeser on anti-Semitism in the ZDF program “Berlin Direkt”: Against the background of anti-Semitic incidents at “pro-Palestinian” demonstrations, which are predominantly anti-Israel and anti-Jewish, she was fundamentally open to changing the criminal law. “But I would now be in favor of the current criminal law actually being applied.” And further: “I still see room for improvement.” There needs to be tough action by the constitutional state.
Faeser about Islamism to the newspapers of the Funke media group: According to Faeser, German security authorities have the Islamist scene in Germany firmly “in their sights”. “We use all instruments: from intelligence observation to intensive investigations.”
Faeser repeatedly advocates “taking tough action” in her area of responsibility, using “all instruments of the rule of law,” and “exposing and destroying.” What sounds motivated is just lip service, says Alexander Throm, domestic policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.
“Ms Faeser remains a minister who makes announcements but does not implement anything. Whether it is civil protection, IP address storage, the fight against terrorism and Islamism, cyber defence, facial recognition or other technical powers and the financial resources of our security authorities – everywhere there are only empty words,” the CDU man told FOCUS online.
The Interior Minister has also apparently lost the Chancellor’s support. “This was most recently seen in public with the example of IP address storage,” says Throm. “Despite numerous promises from the Chancellor to introduce IP address storage that was declared permissible by the ECJ, he gave up the plan without batting an eyelid against extending the rent cap.”
This is not only “particularly shabby” with regard to the fight against child sexual abuse and terrorism, but also represents “a threat to internal security” overall.
According to Throm, Faeser and the traffic light are “playing politics against the majority of the population and thus dividing our society.” Never in recent years has Germany been as divided as it is today.
“No wonder,” says Throm. While internal and external security is worse than it has been for a long time, the traffic light is coming around the corner with cannabis legalization, self-determination law, dual citizenship, lane changing and turbo naturalization.
“Especially when it comes to illegal migration, Faeser is neither willing nor able to effectively curb it and enable large-scale returns. On the contrary: it even makes access to residence permits and German citizenship easier,” said the Union politician.
Throm is not alone in his criticism. In a guest article for FOCUS online, Manuel Ostermann, deputy federal chairman of the federal police union DPolG, makes serious accusations against the Interior Minister.
“The Federal Minister of the Interior naturally has an outstanding responsibility for security policy and its pragmatic implementation,” said Ostermann. But Faeser’s security policy is a declaration of bankruptcy. She doesn’t live up to her responsibility at any point.
As evidence, Ostermann cites the destabilization of the federal police, a “planned and headless” approach to combating extremism and rhetorical phrases in the fight against anti-Semitism. “The bottom line is that far too little is happening here.”