BERLIN: The German government Wednesday signed off on a major overhaul of the country’s intelligence agencies to give them broad new powers to conduct covert operations and take action against foreign threats.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced a “new era” for Germany’s secret services, which have until now been largely limited to gathering intelligence.
The services will get greater latitude to conduct non-lethal operations such as hacking enemy servers or conducting sabotage under the reforms that still have to pass parliament before taking effect early next year.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition has argued that more powerful intelligence agencies are needed to counter the threats posed by hostile foreign powers, terrorist groups and cybercriminals.
German officials accuse Moscow of waging a “hybrid” campaign of sabotage, espionage and disinformation against the country, which is among Ukraine’s biggest military supporters in the war with Russia.
