Germany faces high risk of attacks, interior minister warns

Germany faces an elevated threat of terrorist attacks, according to a stark warning issued by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The minister cited an increase in reported intelligence and reconnaissance activities as the basis for upgrading the threat level from abstract to high, indicating that attacks could occur at any time.

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The increased reporting and reconnaissance situation has led me to upgrade the previously formulated abstract threat situation to a high threat situation.

Dobrindt stated that plans for attacks against Germany are clearly identifiable and target not only infrastructure but also individuals and institutions. He emphasized the critical role of intelligence services in countering these threats, expressing his goal to develop them into "real secret services" capable of competing and cooperating effectively with international counterparts.

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This means that the risk of attacks must be expected in Germany at any time.

To bolster these capabilities, the German government plans a significant reform of intelligence service laws, which the federal cabinet is set to discuss on August 13. The proposed legislation aims to grant intelligence agencies explicit authority to intervene directly in specific high-risk scenarios, moving beyond their current role of solely collecting and analyzing information. This could include allowing domestic intelligence officers to enter and search residences in acute terror situations if police forces are not immediately available.

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My goal is that we further develop the intelligence services into real secret services in order to be competitive and capable of partnership with our friendly services abroad.

The minister also suggested that altering information might be necessary to disrupt attack plans, a measure that would be overseen by an independent control council requiring prior approval for such actions. Dobrindt stressed, however, that the separation between intelligence services and the police would be maintained, with arrests remaining solely the police's responsibility. The reform seeks to enhance Germany's security apparatus while establishing clear oversight mechanisms.

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Arresting people remains the responsibility of the police.