Baden-Württemberg Extends Offer to Berlin Police Amidst Left Party’s Election Win
Baden-Württemberg, September 25, 2026 – In a move that has sparked debate, Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister, Manuel Hagel (CDU), has publicly invited police officers from Berlin to consider relocating to the southwestern German state. This offer comes in the wake of the Left Party’s significant victory in the Berlin state elections last Sunday, where they emerged as the strongest force with 25.7 percent of the vote.
Hagel expressed strong reservations about the potential impact of a Left-led government on law enforcement in the capital. “The Berlin police are too valuable for a left-wing ‘clan mayor’ who wants to strip them of resources and powers. Here in Baden-Württemberg, we know what we have in our police officers,” Hagel stated.
Concerns Over Left Party’s Stance on Policing
The CDU politician further elaborated on his concerns, stating that if the Left Party were to “ruin internal security and turn off the lights for the police,” officers should feel free to contact him. “Anyone who stands for security, freedom, and our rule of law is always welcome here. Every single one. Anytime.”
Hagel also highlighted the value of experienced Berlin investigators in the field of organized crime, noting that they “could be worth their weight in gold.” He added, “In the Stuttgart metropolitan area, we are fighting organized gangs with full energy.”
No Job Guarantee, Says Hagel
However, Hagel clarified to SWR that his offer should not be interpreted as a blanket job guarantee. He emphasized that each case would need to be individually assessed to ensure compatibility with the state’s organizational culture and available positions. This suggests that Baden-Württemberg may not have the capacity to accommodate an unlimited number of new police officers.
The Left Party’s Program and Criticism
The Left Party, which is seeking exploratory talks with the Greens and the SPD to form a coalition, outlined in its election program its intention to halt further “armament” of the police and reallocate funds. These freed-up resources are intended to be invested, among other things, in strengthening street social work. While the party’s program emphasizes prevention and data protection over increased police equipment, it does not advocate for the abolition of the police force. However, it remains uncertain how much of its program the Left Party could implement in a coalition government.
The Berlin state branch of the Left Party has faced criticism recently, partly due to controversial positions held by some members regarding the Middle East conflict and antisemitism. A particular incident involved the presence of a known clan figure and a controversial pro-Palestinian activist at an election party of the Neukölln district association. The party leadership has denied these allegations.
Mixed Reactions in Baden-Württemberg
Reactions to Hagel’s initiative within Baden-Württemberg have been somewhat reserved. The Green coalition partner briefly commented to SWR, “The election campaign in Berlin is over. It is still unclear who will govern at all. In the meantime, we are taking care of security in Baden-Württemberg.” It is worth noting that a coalition of CDU, Greens, and SPD is still a possibility in the Berlin House of Representatives.
The AfD in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament criticized Hagel’s move as “headline-grabbing activism,” arguing that the state’s own police officers have been waiting for improvements in their working conditions for years. Chris Hagel, the AfD parliamentary group’s interior policy spokesman, stated, “While our own police officers have been waiting for years for improvements in their working conditions, this primarily seems like headline-grabbing activism.” The AfD is classified as a suspected right-wing extremist case by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Baden-Württemberg.
This development underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding law enforcement and public safety in Germany, particularly in the context of shifting political landscapes and differing approaches to governance.
