German Interior Ministry to propose tougher security measures

Germany's Interior Ministry is to propose a raft of new security measures in response to recent attacks in the country.

German media reported on Wednesday that the tougher stance will include waiving doctor-patient confidentiality in dangerous cases and expediting the deportation of rejected refugees.

The new measures also include speeding up deportations of foreign potential attackers and criminals and the introduction of a new reason for deportation: "danger to public safety," the Bild daily reported citing security sources.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere is to announce the new measures on Thursday which are planned to be passed into law by the upcoming elections due in autumn 2017.

The measures devised by the Interior Ministry are based on a nine-point plan to improve security announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel in the wake of the recent attacks, local media said.

Merkel’s nine-point security plan included better monitoring of potential suspects and more intelligence-sharing with the US and its European partners.

It also included a commitment to speed up deportations of rejected asylum seekers. Furthermore, it called for a commitment to push for Europe-wide gun controls.

SS