The Union has indicated openness to the Social Democrats’ proposal to raise penalties for arson. According to CDU faction deputy Günter Krings, the Union is willing to examine whether the increased minimum sentence of two years should apply generally to the causation of large-scale forest fires, regardless of whether people are endangered. Currently, deliberate arson carries a minimum custodial sentence of one year, rising to two years if there is a threat to or injury of people. Krings also pointed out that the potential penalties for negligent arson today are already equivalent to the maximum sentence for negligent homicide. Furthermore, Krings argued that the state must ensure that privately affected individuals receive compensation from the party responsible for the wildfire. He suggested that the state should help victims collect damages from those at fault, noting that this process itself would be a very significant deterrent.
Politics
