Germany's Scholz seeks new knife laws after Solingen attack

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the crime scene in Solingen after a deadly knife attack, calling for stricter knife laws. The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian, was a member of Islamic State.

Authorities had planned to deport him from North-Rhine-Westphalia, where state officials accompanied Scholz. The attack occurred at Solingen's Festival of Diversity, prompting responses from conservative and center-left politicians.

Germany's interior minister warned of a high Islamist terrorism threat, and the state parliament's committees will discuss the incident. Chancellor Scholz vowed tougher knife laws and more deportations after the fatal attack.

The government is also working on solutions to enable deportation of convicted Afghans to neighboring countries. The attack in Solingen has sparked a debate on a harder stance on asylum and migration policy.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz called for an intake stop for refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, while SPD leader Saskia Esken rejected the idea. The government also announced plans to tighten weapons laws, including restrictions on carrying knives in public.

Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for expanded powers for security agencies, including the possibility of extending the powers of the Federal Criminal Police Office. The Solingen attack has reignited discussions on deportation policies, asylum regulations, and security measures in Germany.