Reforms: New powers for intelligence services, customs, and old-age provision - this is what the cabinet decided today

The Federal Government has equipped Germany's intelligence agencies with new powers - and thus initiated one of the most far-reaching reforms of the German security apparatus in years. On Wednesday in Berlin, the Cabinet approved a draft bill from Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). In addition to the reform, the Cabinet approved draft bills to combat financial crime, private old-age provision for children, CO2 pricing, and youth protection.

Overview of all Cabinet decisions:

Federal Constitutional Protection and Foreign Intelligence Service:

From Observer to Actor

Previously, German intelligence agencies were allowed to identify threats - but not to intervene. This is now changing. The Cabinet approved a draft bill from Dobrindt, which for the first time gives the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution - the domestic intelligence service - and the Federal Intelligence Service - the foreign intelligence service - active powers.

Specifically, both services will be allowed to disrupt the infrastructure of attackers and intervene covertly in special threat situations in the future. This clearly goes beyond the previous mandate, which was limited to observation and analysis.

The background is primarily the Russian threat: cyber attacks on authorities, disinformation campaigns, and hybrid warfare have dominated the security debate in Berlin in recent years. In European comparison, the German services have so far had significantly fewer powers than their British or French counterparts. The law still has to pass the Bundestag. The Bundesrat can call on the mediation committee, but the law is not subject to approval.