Germany Approves Major Expansion of Intelligence Agencies’ Powers

Berlin (Terror Monitor) — Germany’s federal cabinet, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has approved a controversial package of reforms expanding the powers of the country’s foreign and domestic intelligence agencies.

The package, comprising more than 700 pages of proposals, would significantly broaden the authorities of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), which is responsible for domestic security.

Under the reforms, both agencies would have greater powers to collect and store information and data. They would also be able to take more active measures against sabotage, hacker attacks and other threats to Germany’s security.

Nina Warken, a minister in the Chancellery, said Germany would no longer be forced to simply stand by in the face of foreign interference, sabotage and threats to its free and constitutional order. She said the reforms would enable German intelligence agencies to respond more effectively to changing circumstances and modern security challenges, including hybrid attacks.

The reforms have sparked concern among political and civil rights groups, with critics warning that the expanded intelligence powers could pose risks to citizens’ fundamental rights.

Wolfgang Kubicki of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) criticized Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s reforms, warning that the legislation could face scrutiny by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court.

Dobrindt defended the package, describing it as the beginning of a “new era” for Germany’s intelligence services and arguing that the expanded powers would allow them to better protect the state and its citizens against both domestic and foreign threats.