Upcoming merger post-election voting
In Bremen, the right-wing populist voter association, Citizens in Rage, has presented its election program, focusing on internal security and traffic policy. The top candidates, Jan Timke and Piet Leidreiter, unveiled their plans on March 16, with the support of Walter Münnich, deputy federal chairman of Bündnis Deutschland.
Timke, a current member of the Bremen State Parliament and the Bremerhaven City Council since 2008, has denounced Bremen as a haven for criminals. He advocates for stricter law enforcement to deter potential offenders and prevent criminal careers. The association calls for the reversal of the police reform and round-the-clock staffing of police stations, as well as the establishment of additional mobile patrols in high-crime areas. A target of 3,000 police officers in Bremen and 550 in Bremerhaven is proposed.
Timke, a former federal police officer, also demands the swift deportation of foreign criminals and a lifetime ban on re-entry. He proposes establishing closed homes for young repeat offenders and placing unrepentant ones in "warning shot detention." The association's stance on immigration and security is aimed at protecting native citizens by reducing perceived security risks associated with criminal immigrants.
Leidreiter, the Bremen top candidate, contents that Citizens in Rage are champions of drivers. The association's traffic policy is aimed at stricter enforcement of traffic laws, potential opposition to traffic restrictions considered to be limiting personal mobility, and promoting car-friendly policies. They plan to challenge the justification for 30 km/h zones and streets near schools, social facilities, and retirement homes.
The first legislative move for Citizens in Rage in the newly elected state parliament is expected to be the dismantling of the Martinistraße. The group aims for 6 percent of the vote in Bremen and 12 percent in Bremerhaven. This would correspond to at least two members of parliament via the Bremerhaven electoral district, according to Timke.
The election campaign is being funded by Bündnis Deutschland. A substantial, six-figure sum is involved, though the exact source of the money remains undisclosed by Bündnis Deutschland. After the Bremen state election in May, Citizens in Rage plans to merge with Bündnis Deutschland and adopt its name. The membership vote for this merger is scheduled for April 1. With the merger and renaming to Alliance Germany, the group hopes to attract new voters.
Right-wing populist parties like Citizens in Rage are known for their strong focus on internal security, stringent traffic policies, and a tough stance on the deportation of criminal foreigners, aligning with patterns seen in similar groups in Germany. This is part of their broader law-and-order narrative and anti-migration position aimed at protecting native citizens by reducing perceived security risks associated with criminal immigrants.
- The election program of Citizens in Rage, presented in Bremen, includes a focus on policy-and-legislation related to both transport and war-and-conflicts, with stricter traffic laws and stronger law enforcement being key aspects.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, Citizens in Rage advocates for stricter policies, such as swift deportation of foreign criminals, a lifetime ban on re-entry, closed homes for young repeat offenders, and "warning shot detention" for unrepentant ones.
- In terms of general-news and politics, Citizens in Rage, aligned with Bündnis Deutschland, plans to merge and rename to Alliance Germany after the Bremen state election in May, aiming to attract new voters with their law-and-order narrative and anti-migration position.
