Clan debate on “ntv early start”
Dirk Wiese: Don’t be fooled

09/08/2023 10:28

Home Secretary Nancy Faeser is looking into whether members of a criminal clan can be deported more easily – and has been accused of clan detention. His party partner Dirk Wiese defended him.

SPD politician Dirk Wiese defended Interior Secretary Nancy Faeser’s plan to deport members of criminal clans more quickly. “I think it is very important that the country signals very clearly that we will not let some people fool us,” his party vice chairman said on “ntv Frühstart”. He also made it clear he wanted to discuss the introduction of general compulsory service in the Bundestag after the summer holidays – against resistance from his own party and coalition partners.

Organized crime is spreading and causing high financial losses, said Wiese. Because of that, he welcomed the plans of the Minister of Home Affairs and SPD politicians to study how members of criminal organizations can be deported more quickly. When asked if members of a criminal clan could also be deported in a simplified way because of their family affiliation, Wiese explained: “It’s about belonging to a criminal organization, not someone who has the same surname.” Membership in a criminal organization is already a punishable offense today. “Therefore there must be evidence that someone is embedded in the structure,” said Wiese.

Not work, but “garden luxury” in front of the house

On indications of membership in a criminal clan, Wiese said: “Specific examples are when you don’t have a regular job, but of course the question arises because you have a fancy garden in front of your house or live on a very, very large property.” Based on this information, investigators were also able to move into real estate in Berlin. “Investigators already know a lot about it,” Wiese said.

The Minister of Home Affairs also wants to simplify deportations regardless of membership in a criminal organization. However, deportations often fail not because of deportation practices, but because the country of origin does not want to accept back those who are obliged to leave their country. That’s why they are in the process of signing a migration agreement, said Wiese: “We have signed one with India, and we are in talks with other countries.” In addition, they want to classify Georgia and the Republic of Moldova as safe countries of origin.

Common task: “Respect lost”

Despite resistance from his own party and coalition partners FDP and the Greens, deputy chairman of the parliamentary grouping of the SPD, Dirk Wiese, made it clear that he wants to start a debate on the introduction of general compulsory service in the Bundestag after the summer holidays. “I think the debate is right,” said Wiese. “We see that in many places, there is a lack of respect in the face of something that is becoming increasingly fragile in our society.”

He was referring to a survey in which around 70 percent of citizens had spoken out in favor of a mandatory period. “Therefore I think that we must conduct this debate in a very open and constructive way,” said the SPD politician. Several months ago, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier suggested holding a debate on conscription in Germany. Wiese referenced this with his plans to discuss conscription in the Bundestag after the summer holidays. CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann also supports this.