Linke on public safety

The Left wants the state to help launch proceedings to ban the AfD before the Federal Constitutional Court. Militant far-right networks are to be pursued consistently, including possible bans and the disarming of neo-Nazis. The party sees right-wing extremism as one of the greatest dangers to democracy.

The Left wants a court to examine a ban on the AfD. The Federal Constitutional Court decides on this. The state should act firmly against violent far-right groups. Neo-Nazis should not be allowed to have weapons. May 8 should become a public holiday.

The state is to take part in initiating proceedings to ban the AfD. Bans are to be examined for militant far-right networks, and neo-Nazis are to be required to give up their weapons. May 8 is to become a public holiday as a sign of antifascist remembrance. The party calls for a clear antifascist stance, determined state action and support for civil society.

The Left rejects state spyware, blanket data retention and automated facial recognition in order to secure the right to informational self-determination. The Palantir software and pervasive video surveillance are also not to be used.

The Left wants less surveillance. The state should not use spy software on phones and computers. It should not store people's data just in case. Cameras should not recognize faces automatically.

The platform argues that security must not come at the expense of freedom. Law enforcement tools are to be used proportionately and continually checked for compatibility with civil rights. All powers of the security agencies are to be critically reviewed. The party explicitly opposes Palantir and ubiquitous camera surveillance.

The Left wants to set up an independent complaints office for police misconduct and introduce receipts for police checks. The Verfassungsschutz (domestic intelligence agency) is to face stronger democratic oversight and use informants only where strictly necessary. At the same time, the police are to get sufficient staff and equipment.

The Left wants better checks on the police. An independent office should look into complaints. People who are stopped should get a receipt. The domestic intelligence agency should also be watched more closely.

The complaints office is to be separate from the police and have enough resources and powers to investigate. The police commissioner is to be open to everyone, and people subject to police measures are to receive a receipt. Training is to give more room to democracy and fundamental rights; a culture of admitting mistakes and resilience against far-right attitudes are to be fostered. The police are to be adequately staffed and equipped. Oversight of the domestic intelligence agency is to become more effective, and the use of informants sharply limited.

The Left wants to modernize fire and disaster protection through a state program and equip it centrally. Procurement is to run through the state so that municipalities and counties pay less.

The Left wants better protection against fires and disasters. The state should start its own program for this. The state should buy equipment centrally. That saves towns and counties money.

The expansion is meant to protect the population in the face of climate impacts, crises and conflicts. A dedicated state program is to carry the modernization. Pooled purchasing at state level is meant to lower costs for counties and municipalities.

The Left wants to gear the prison system toward enabling people to live crime-free and independent lives after release. In the program's view, mere confinement does not create safety; that takes education, health care and good transitions into work and housing.

The Left wants to change the prison system. Prisoners should be able to live without crime after release. For this, prisons should offer more education and better doctors. Some people should get a different penalty instead of prison.

Additional positions are to be created in the prison service. According to the program, education ranges from school diplomas and job training to language courses and civic education. Medical, psychiatric and psychological care in custody is to improve. Releases are to be better prepared and housing secured to prevent reoffending. For staff, the Left wants better pay and promotion prospects as well as allowances on par with the police.

The Left wants victims of violence to find easily accessible, professional help everywhere in the state. To that end, forensic clinics for victims (Opferambulanzen) are to be funded permanently and better equipped.

The Left wants to help victims of violence better. Victim clinics should get lasting funding. These clinics examine and record injuries. The help should exist in every region.

Contact points for children and young people who have experienced violence are to be expanded and bring several disciplines together. The justice system, youth services, health care and victim protection are to cooperate on a binding basis. Staff are to be trained statewide in dealing with sexualized, domestic and gender-based violence.