German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the threats of espionage, sabotage and cyber attacks against his country are increasing and that the current security environment carries more comprehensive risks than the Cold War period.
Speaking at the press conference held by the German Federal Organization for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) in the capital Berlin, Dobrindt stated that his country was facing a "shadow war".
"The goal of the shadow war we are witnessing today goes far beyond what was seen during the Cold War. Its clear purpose is to destabilize us from our foundations," Dobrindt said.
Dobrindt did not directly mention Russia in his statement. But his remarks followed recent warnings from German intelligence about threats originating from Moscow.
In his statement at the beginning of October, Martin Jäger, Director of the German Federal Intelligence Agency (BND), argued that Russia's covert activities against Europe were becoming increasingly dangerous.
Jäger stated that Germany was at risk of being dragged into a violent conflict with Russia and warned that Moscow was increasing sabotage, cyber attacks and other destabilization activities against European countries.
DRON INCIDENT AT THE AIRPORT INCREASED TENSION
Calls to expand the powers of intelligence services in Germany gained momentum after an attack attempt was made with an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.
While German authorities held Russia responsible for the attack attempt, the Moscow administration rejected the accusations.
Following the incident, the German government began working on new measures to protect critical infrastructure and strengthen its defense capacity against unmanned aerial vehicles.
The intelligence reform prepared by the German government envisages giving security units new intervention opportunities beyond their current powers.
The regulation, which was first discussed in the Federal Parliament in September and is currently being evaluated in commissions, aims to enable intelligence services to take active defensive measures against threats.
Dobrindt stated that Germany should not fall behind other countries in the field of security and said, "Germany cannot be a second- or third-class actor in the development of intelligence services and capabilities. We must remain at the forefront due to the difficulties we face."
WHY ARE INTELLIGENCE POWERS LIMITED IN GERMANY?
Germany's intelligence agencies were created with extensive legal restrictions following World War II to prevent a repeat of Nazi-era state practices.
For this reason, German intelligence services operate with more limited powers than similar institutions in France, the UK and the USA.
The reform on the government's agenda aims to expand these powers in the face of increasing security threats.
