At their latest Conference of Minister Presidents in Mainz, Germany’s 16 regional leaders agreed on a far-reaching eight-point security package aimed at reinforcing public order, accelerating deportations, and expanding the use of digital technologies in policing.
The initiative follows months of heated political debate over urban safety and migration, triggered by remarks from Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and opposition leader Jens Spahn about rising insecurity in major cities.
Key measures of the plan
According to statements released after the meeting, the new framework includes:
- Permanent detention for high-risk offenders awaiting deportation.
- A renewed deportation drive targeting individuals considered security threats, including returns to countries such as Afghanistan and Syria where permitted.
- Access bans to swimming pools for convicted sex offenders.
- Extended retention of criminal records and the storage of IP addresses to support digital investigations, especially in child-protection cases.
- Electronic ankle monitors for convicted domestic-violence offenders.
- Asset confiscation from organised criminal networks, including clan-related crime.
- Use of artificial intelligence to enhance video surveillance and investigative analytics.
- Expanded legal framework and equipment to defend against hostile or spy drones.
Political consensus after tense talks
The package was originally proposed by Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) and eventually received unanimous backing from all 16 states — including those governed by the SPD and Greens. Participants described negotiations as “tough but constructive.”
Officials said the agreement underscores a shared determination among the states to restore public confidence in law enforcement and migration management. “People expect a state capable of protecting them,” said one participant.
Broader context: the “urban image” controversy
The plan also responds to a divisive public debate over Germany’s so-called “Stadtbild” — the perceived deterioration of security in inner-city areas. Conservative politicians had linked this to irregular migration and drug-related crime, sparking criticism from opposition and civil-rights groups.
The new measures seek to address both perception and prevention, combining stricter enforcement with technological upgrades. Analysts note that the inclusion of AI tools and anti-drone defences marks a shift toward digital homeland security policies at the regional level.
Next steps
Implementation will require federal legislation on detention and deportation powers, while several states plan to introduce their own laws for the remaining measures before mid-2025.
State leaders agreed that maintaining public trust in safety and the rule of law has become a central priority amid growing voter concern about crime, extremism, and migration pressures.
