(de-news.net) – The German Judges’ Association has urged CDU/CSU and SPD to significantly invest in criminal justice to enhance internal security. The association’s managing director, Sven Rebehn, highlighted promises in coalition documents for security investment involving increased personnel, investigative powers, and stricter laws against crime for these commitments not to become hollow.

Rebehn advocated for a “rule-of-law billion” to fund judicial investments by 2028, addressing critical issues like understaffing and financial shortages in the justice system. He noted that nearly a million unresolved cases at prosecutors’ offices result in only one in fifteen cases leading to charges as well as delays in criminal proceedings which annually force the release of numerous suspects from pretrial detention.

The coalition papers proposed a federal-state pact, including 2,000 new positions for under-resourced prosecutors and digital advancements for judicial authorities. What is more, CDU/CSU and SPD interior policymakers have agreed on strengthening police and intelligence services. The initiative aims to exploit multiple legal frameworks, including mandatory IP address storage online. However, SPD opposed CDU/CSU’s proposal for automatic facial recognition at transport hubs and crime hotspots.