German minister: Rejection of expanded police powers 'irresponsible'

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser blasted conservative state leaders on Friday for blocking a law that would have granted German police expanded powers in terrorism investigations.

The measure, which was part of a broader security package pushed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition, was approved by the lower chamber of Germany's parliament on Friday morning but voted down by leaders from Germany's 16 federal states who make up parliament's upper chamber, the Bundesrat.

The law would have given German police the ability to compare biometric data on the internet in some cases, although generally the president of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) would have been required to obtain a court order to do so.

State leaders from the centre-right opposition CDU/CSU bloc, however, rejected the measure.

Faeser, a Social Democrat (SPD), called the decision "completely incomprehensible and irresponsible" and accused the CDU/CSU politicians of "denying [the] investigative authorities powers that are absolutely necessary in view of the current threats."

She said the expanded powers could be needed to identify terror suspects, murderers and rapists using facial recognition.

The Bundesrat approved other parts of the security package, including a broad ban on carrying knives at public events and new restrictions on benefits for asylum seekers who are obliged to leave Germany under EU migration rules.