Green politician Marcel Emmerich criticized the federal government’s plans for expanding civil protection, deeming them insufficient. Speaking to the news portal T-Online, Emmerich argued that while Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is able to allocate funds, he has yet to provide a clear answer as to how Germany should actually function in a crisis.
Emmerich asserted that beyond mere investments, a truly robust framework requires a comprehensive overarching strategy. This strategy, he insisted, must outline clear protective goals, define specific crisis scenarios, and provide tangible preparation plans for the population.
Although Dobrindt aims to address long-standing deficiencies by strengthening the coordination center within the Ministry of the Interior and bolstering the Technical Relief Agency (THW), the Green politician stressed that a compelling concept for cooperation among the federal government, the states, and local communities remains missing for a genuinely crisis-proof strategy.
Further unknowns include how critical infrastructure should be enhanced, how the population should be prepared, and how warning systems, shelters, and supply chains must be kept functional in an emergency. Emmerich reminded the public that his party successfully advocated for designating defense and population protection as a scope exception during the reform of the debt brake, thereby laying the groundwork for the additional 10 billion euros. He concluded by stating that the issue of population protection cannot be limited to ceremonial vehicle handovers and press photos.
