Germany Establishes National Security Council After 30 Years

Germany's federal cabinet has approved the establishment of a National Security Council, led by the Federal Chancellor, after 30 years of discussion. The council will integrate security information from various sectors including domestic, foreign, economic, and digital, aiming to convene meetings and formulate strategies to address threats to national security during crises. The council is composed of nine ministers, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Defense, and will initially have 13 positions. Its functions include interfacing with federal states, other countries, and international organizations.

The National Security Council is tasked with three core responsibilities: collecting and processing security information from the federal government, planning national security strategies, and conducting crisis simulations and response exercises. The establishment of this council marks a significant step in Germany's efforts to enhance its national security framework. The council will replace the existing Federal Security Council and the Federal Security Committee, centralizing decision-making during crisis situations.

The decision to form the National Security Council comes after decades of deliberation. The Federal Chancellor highlighted that the new council will play a crucial role in addressing the complex security challenges faced by Germany. The council's formation is part of the coalition agreement between the Union Party and the Social Democratic Party, which aims to create a cross-departmental decision-making platform to better manage national security issues. This move is expected to streamline the coordination of security efforts and improve Germany's response to potential threats.