Berlin in transition: New laws strengthen police and protection for women!

Berlin in transition: New laws strengthen police and protection for women!

The Berlin government coalition from the CDU and SPD has announced new legislative projects in a current session, which are to be implemented before the summer break. The most important measures include comprehensive tightening of the Berlin police law , which is intended to give the police more pension in the video surveillance in crime-burdened locations. These changes in the law should not only increase security, but also take into account the implementation of European data protection guidelines.

In the context of the planned changes in the law, an extension of the ban for violent ex-partners is planned. The current ban on entering the shared apartment is raised from 14 to 28 days. This should improve protection for victims of domestic violence.

changes in the police law

The need for the amendment of the Police Act is justified by the implementation of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as well as judgments of the Federal Constitutional Court on the license plate recording and the BKA law. In addition, the innovations are in accordance with the provisions that aim to improve data protection and strengthen civil rights.

The proposed changes in the police law include the expansion of the use of shoulder cameras (bodycams) by police forces, also in apartments, whereby a judicial approval is required. These measures should contribute to improving security in particular in cases of domestic violence.

Another point of the innovations is the adaptation of the Neutrality Act. In the future, headscarf teachers will fundamentally be set to Berlin school service, unless a threat to school peace can be determined.

reactions of the opposition and the economy

However, the announced changes in the law encounter resistance. Opposition parties and corporate associations criticize the coalition because they think they are deported. The corporate associations require fewer government interventions and a reduction in bureaucracy, which also questions the government's plans.

Another elementary point is the planned introduction of an apprenticeship levy. This should be due if 2,000 additional training positions cannot be created by the end of the year. The first readings of the corresponding law are scheduled for October. In response to the referendum of 2021, a draft for a social framework law is to be presented to the expropriation of large housing companies this year. But the CDU rejects a socialization of housing companies.

The last plenary session in the House of Representatives before the summer break takes place on July 10th. In addition, the next House of Representatives election on September 20, 2026, which gives the coalition additional pressure to implement the announced reforms promptly.