Interior Minister Faeser outlines plans to address potential threats ahead of major football tournament

Germany is ramping up security ahead of the European Championship, set to begin on June 14, to counter potential threats from various sources, including "Islamists, hooligans, violent individuals, and cyberattacks," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced on Tuesday.

With an expected 2.7 million attendees at stadiums nationwide and around 12 million in fan zones, Faeser highlighted increased security concerns following recent violent incidents. Although no specific threats have been identified, Faeser assured the public that Germany is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the event's safety. "You can never 100% guarantee security, but we are well-prepared and remain vigilant," she stated, emphasizing an extensive police presence supported by international officers and 16,000 volunteers.

In light of political polarization and recent attacks on politicians, including a knife attack at a right-wing rally in Mannheim that left six injured and resulted in the death of a policeman, Faeser stressed the importance of unity. Despite these challenges, she sees the tournament as a chance to demonstrate resilience against threats like Russian aggression and domestic extremism. "We want to show that sport stands for respect and cohesion," Faeser concluded.