Hello Leipzig: Here’s how Wednesday 24 June 2026 gets underway

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A difficult day. The new police bill has sparked more than just debate. The state parliament is set to vote on it today in a final reading. There’ll be plenty of drama on the go from today at a street theatre festival. The HTWK is discussing today why rain is such an important topic – even though we’re currently barely aware of what it is.

State Parliament to decide on new police bill

At today’s sitting, Saxony’s MPs will consider the ‘Act Amending Police Legislation’ (Drs. 8/6142) in its second reading and final vote. The amendment tabled by the state government primarily concerns the Saxon Police Service Act (SächsPVDG) and is regarded as a comprehensive reform of Saxon police law. The cabinet had already approved the draft in February 2026 and referred it to the state parliament.

Politically, the vote is of particular significance, as the governing coalition of the CDU and SPD does not have a majority of its own in parliament. Following negotiations with the BSW, amendments to the draft bill were agreed, which is why its passage is considered likely. In terms of content, the amendment provides, amongst other things, for extended powers for the police to avert danger, adjustments to technical developments and digital forms of investigation, as well as changes to data collection and processing. Furthermore, various powers of intervention held by the police are to be re-regulated. The draft was revised several times during the parliamentary process. Some measures initially envisaged were amended or watered down following criticism.

The debate to date has been accompanied by protests, including in Leipzig. Critics fear, amongst other things, an expansion of state surveillance capabilities or restrictions on freedom of assembly. Concerns have also been raised regarding data protection and constitutional issues. Critics include civil rights organisations, the Chaos Computer Club, supporters’ groups, the Young Socialists, the Green Youth and the Saxon Data Protection Commissioner. Supporters of the reform, on the other hand, point to the need to modernise existing police legislation. The CDU, SPD and police unions argue that the police must be able to respond to digital threats and new forms of crime.

Theatre without a roof or a stage

Now that’s what I call practical … Instead of heading to one of Leipzig’s theatres, the actors simply come straight to your doorstep. Today marks the start of the 19th Leipzig Street Theatre Festival, kicking off on Eisenbahnstraße in the east of Leipzig. Between 4 pm and 6 pm, visitors can look forward to short street theatre performances as well as so-called ‘walking acts’, in which artists wander through public spaces and spontaneously engage with passers-by.

This special festival is organised by Knalltheater in collaboration with LATS e.V. The series of events has been running since 2007. Its aim is to take theatre out of traditional venues and bring cultural offerings directly into the urban space, making them accessible regardless of ticket prices or prior knowledge. Eisenbahnstraße was deliberately chosen as the opening venue: the east of Leipzig is regarded as a diverse and dynamic district; moreover, the Ost-Passage Theatre – a long-established independent cultural institution that stands for neighbourhood culture and cultural participation – is located in the immediate vicinity.

For the first time, the Street Theatre Days will be held in several districts of Leipzig (with a more comprehensive programme available online). Following the opening event on Eisenbahnstraße, events will take place on 25 June on Karl-Heine-Straße in the west of Leipzig and on 26 June on Petersstraße in the city centre. The event will conclude on 27 June with a programme in Clara-Zetkin-Park near the Sachsenbrücke, featuring activities for children and the ‘Leipzig Football Theatre World Cup’.

Talking about rain

Although the word ‘rain’ currently sounds as if it comes from another world, experts are turning their attention to this vital liquid from today. The ‘Rainwater Days 2026’ are getting underway at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig). Organised by the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA), the conference takes place today and tomorrow and is regarded as Germany’s most important specialist event on rainwater management, sponge cities and water-conscious urban development. Experts from academia, local authorities, planning consultancies, companies and associations will discuss how to deal with heavy rainfall, dry spells and the consequences of climate change.

The focus is on new guidelines for water body protection, sustainable concepts for urban development, and strategies for heavy rainfall and flood prevention. The event is accompanied by a specialist exhibition. “The effects of climate change are increasingly evident in longer dry spells and, at the same time, more frequent heavy rainfall events. Rainwater is thus becoming a key resource that we will need to manage even more intelligently in future,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hubertus Milke, Head of the Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Urban Water Management at HTWK Leipzig.

The university is contributing its expertise in the fields of sustainable urban drainage and climate-adapted infrastructure development. HTWK Leipzig was involved in the development of the highly interesting heavy rainfall hazard maps for Leipzig and the surrounding area.