Frankfurt (Germany), 13 Nov. (LaPresse) – The German secret services are to be given greater powers to combat espionage, terrorism and sabotage. The Bundestag has approved a comprehensive reform of the legislation governing intelligence activities, with 309 votes in favour, 190 against and 71 abstentions. The new rules grant additional tools to the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), including greater powers to intercept communications and compare biometric data. The BfV, which until now has been primarily responsible for gathering information and monitoring individuals, will, under certain circumstances, be able to enter homes covertly and take action against explosives and weapons. Open arrests and searches, however, will remain the responsibility of the police. The BND, which is responsible for foreign intelligence, will also be able to carry out operational interventions, such as disabling servers used by hacker groups linked to foreign states. A body comprising former judges will be required to verify the legality of certain measures in advance. The reform, promoted by the CDU-CSU and SPD coalition, also responds to the increase in threats from abroad, particularly from the activities of the secret services of Russia, China and Iran. The aim is to reduce dependence on information provided by the intelligence services of allied countries. Opposition parties accuse the government of undermining the separation between the police and the secret services. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, however, has described the reform as a “historic turning point”, arguing that Germany is the target of hybrid threats and a breeding ground for terrorism, extremism and foreign powers. Dobrindt has rejected accusations that the new regulations would create a sort of “secret police”, calling them absurd and lacking in historical perspective. The reform, he said, serves to protect democracy.
Germany: Bundestag approves reform – greater powers for the secret services
Frankfurt (Germany), 13 Nov. (LaPresse) – The German secret services are to be given greater powers to combat espionage, terrorism and sabotage. The Bundestag has approved a comprehensive reform of the legislation governing intelligence activities, with 309 votes in favour, 190 against and 71 abstentions. The new rules grant additional tools to the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), including greater powers to intercept communications and compare biometric data. The BfV, which until now has been primarily responsible for gathering information and monitoring individuals, will, under certain circumstances, be able to enter homes covertly and take action against explosives and weapons. Open arrests and searches, however, will remain the responsibility of the police. The BND, which is responsible for foreign intelligence, will also be able to carry out operational interventions, such as disabling servers used by hacker groups linked to foreign states. A body comprising former judges will be required to verify the legality of certain measures in advance. The reform, promoted by the CDU-CSU and SPD coalition, also responds to the increase in threats from abroad, particularly from the activities of the secret services of Russia, China and Iran. The aim is to reduce dependence on information provided by the intelligence services of allied countries. Opposition parties accuse the government of undermining the separation between the police and the secret services. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, however, has described the reform as a “historic turning point”, arguing that Germany is the target of hybrid threats and a breeding ground for terrorism, extremism and foreign powers. Dobrindt has rejected accusations that the new regulations would create a sort of “secret police”, calling them absurd and lacking in historical perspective. The reform, he said, serves to protect democracy.