Berlin CSD attack: Union demands swift security law reforms, police union urges caution

The attack

On the evening of 26 July 2026, a 21-year-old man born in Berlin drove a car into a crowd at the Christopher Street Day (CSD) event and then attacked people with a machete. A Polish woman died and 31 others were injured. The suspect, Abdul B., had been classified by police as a so-called Gefährder (dangerous person) and was under a non-final youth sentence but remained at liberty. He fled the scene and was located the following day; police shot him dead when he attacked officers.

Political response

One week later, the attack has triggered a fast-moving legislative debate. Thorsten Frei, parliamentary leader of the CDU/CSU Union, told Bild am Sonntag he expects Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) to present proposals within weeks, likely in August.

I am convinced that the Federal Interior Minister and the Federal Justice Minister will submit corresponding proposals in the coming weeks — probably still in August.

Dobrindt has called for expanded use of electronic ankle monitors, a nationwide uniform rule on preventive detention for dangerous individuals, and an end to applying youth criminal law to adult Gefährder, which he termed "inacceptable". SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch signalled openness to stricter controls, including preventive detention, but stressed that the responsibility lies with the federal states and that a common federal framework is needed.

It is clear that we have a problem with Islamism. Therefore, in my view, we must also take a closer look at certain associations and groups and better control dangerous individuals.

Miersch identified the core failure in the Berlin case as a lack of information exchange between security authorities and the judiciary, and said he expects proposals from the interior minister on that point.

Police union pushes back

The Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP) issued a position paper warning against populist quick fixes. It rejects a blanket obligation for ankle monitors or preventive detention for all persons classified as Gefährder, arguing instead for a graduated approach tailored to the individual risk. The union also opposes hasty changes to the youth court law, urging that the evaluation already foreseen in the coalition agreement be completed first.

An isolated tightening of individual provisions under the current impression does not appear appropriate.

The GdP does, however, demand the reintroduction of criminal liability for propagandistic support of terrorist organisations, so that public advertising for terrorist groups or expressions of sympathy for their aims or acts can be prosecuted before concrete support or preparation occurs. It also calls for harmonisation of the currently disparate state-level regulations.

Public mood and solidarity

Two polls published on Sunday capture the public reaction. A Civey survey found that 38% of Germans say their sense of security has decreased since the attack. An Insa poll for Bild am Sonntag showed that every second respondent sees particularly great need for action in internal security and migration. At the same time, around 300,000 people demonstrated in Hamburg on Saturday for sexual and gender diversity under the motto "Solidarisch queer. Haltung zeigen, für eine Zukunft ohne Angst!" A parade of 60 trucks moved through the city centre; last year about 260,000 had attended. Similar parades took place in Bonn, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Brighton.