Interior Ministers’ Conference does not want to ban far -reaching firecrackers

Suggestions for a significant expansion of the possibilities of municipalities to ban private New Year’s Eve fireworks have met with skepticism in the circle of interior ministers. As announced from participant circles, there was no agreement at the spring conference of the Interior Minister of the Bund and the countries in Bremerhaven.

Above all, Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg had pleaded to grant the responsible authorities more design freedom in dealing with New Year’s Eve fireworks. The explosive law allows the burning of pyrotechnics on December 31 and January 1st. On all other days, this is only permitted with a special permit.

Interior Minister Behrens against general ban

The Lower Saxony Interior Minister, Daniela Behrens (SPD), told the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the meeting in Bremerhaven: « I personally do not believe that I would like to speak a general ban on firecrackers. » The existing legal options for setting up prohibition zones are sufficient. «In particular, the larger cities make up for it New Year’s Eve Using very successfully, »said Behrens. Certain areas could also be protected in rural areas, for example when it comes to half -timbered houses or houses with a thatched roof. It would be wrong for the vast majority that behaves responsibly to ban the New Year’s Eve fireworks due to the misconduct of individuals. It is more important to identify and punish perpetrators who attack the police or fire brigade with fireworks.

Petitions for a ban

The Berlin state district of the police union (GdP) had launched a petition for a ban on firecrackers in early 2023. These have now signed more than two million people. Animal rights activists and other organizations are also strong for a ban. For example, there is a petition from German Environmental Aid and an open letter to Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). In it, referring to the fine dust pollution, she calls on the minister, which permanently end the private purchase and use of pyrotechnics on New Year’s Eve by a corresponding change in the explosive regulation.

Five men died in Böller accidents around the turn of 2024/2025. There were many injuries as well as damage to houses and infrastructure.