BERLIN: Germany faces mounting threats from hostile foreign powers, particularly Russia, and polarized domestic politics on both the far right and left, security officials asserted on Tuesday.
The BfV domestic security agency warned in its annual report of a growing risk from, among others, Moscow-recruited saboteurs, Chinese spies, Iran-backed Islamist militants and violent neo-Nazis.
“The adversaries of our free democratic basic order come from both outside and within,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said while presenting the report in Berlin.
Dobrindt urged “very quick” government action on proposals to give Germany’s intelligence agencies expanded powers and lift some strict limits on covert operations.
“Given the situation, we are convinced that we must further strengthen our capabilities,” he said.
