Compiled by Ana Ferreira
NEWS FROM BERLIN
Protests against eviction of left-wing scene pub
Hundreds of people demonstrate in Berlin against the eviction of the pub “Meuterei”. Police officers were injured during the protests – but the behaviour of some emergency forces was also problematic. Many demonstrators wore Corona protective masks. The eviction of the “mutiny” is seen in the leftist scene as a symbol for the displacement of alternative places in Berlin. Later, during the night, high-value cars were burned all over Berlin, according to police. A connection with the left-wing protests is being investigated. On the internet, “decentralised resistance actions” by the left-wing scene were announced throughout the city. Source: spiegel
NEWS FROM GERMANY
Germany locked down over Easter
Chancellor Merkel has agreed on new, stricter Corona measures with the heads of the federal states, Söder and Müller, as well as Vice-Chancellor Scholz. All shops will close between 1st to 5th or 6th April. Supermarkets are also partially affected by the measure. The stricter lockdown would extend the Easter holidays from three to at least five days, starting on Maundy Thursday until after Easter Monday. Referring to the “emergency brake”, Merkel said, according to participants: “We decide today that we will stick to what we decided last time.” Source: spiegel
Merkel in retreat
The German government’s Corona policy is in open crisis. Following a rebellion by parts of the CDU/CSU and forceful interventions by business associations, the Chancellor’s U-turn on the “Easter truce” seems to be turning into a general retreat or a major reorientation of the fight against the pandemic. Merkel gave a government statement to the Bundestag on Thursday largely limited to appeals and exhortations. She called on citizens to make use of free testing offers, saying testing was “the bridge to vaccination”. But harsh criticism came from the Left Party, with its co-chair, Amira Mohamed Ali, calling the crisis management a “shambles”. Source: jW
Special Forces Command awarded contracts unlawfully
The Special Forces Command (KSK) is once again facing a scandal: the elite unit of the Bundeswehr has apparently awarded contracts to companies since 2014 without adhering to the applicable procurement guidelines. According to a report, an internal review of the Bundeswehr revealed that more than 40 per cent of the contracts concluded for the KSK were unlawful. This new scandal comes at an inopportune time for the unit: Federal Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) wanted to present a report on the status of reforms at the KSK on Tuesday. The focus was to be on combating extreme right-wing tendencies. Source: nd
Right-wing extremist threat remains high in Brandenburg
The good news: Brandenburg recently recorded significantly fewer politically motivated crimes. The bad news: The right-wing extremist danger potential remains extremely high. More and more offences are shifting to the internet. According to the figures, the number of offences against politicians, district councillors and mayors in the state has fallen significantly. Last year, 136 cases were recorded, 25 fewer than in the previous year. The Brandenburg police chief, Oliver Stepien, emphasised that the greatest danger in Brandenburg comes from right-wing extremists: “Particularly in this area, perpetrators hide behind a supposed anonymity on the internet, openly engage in agitation and incite hatred,” Stepien said. Source: rbb
