The German federal government has cleared the path for the establishment of a National Security Council. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Wednesday, following a cabinet meeting at the Federal Ministry of Defence, that the topic has been debated in Germany for three decades, but this coalition government reached a decision within four months and has now initiated the parliamentary process.
The council is intended to serve as a central platform for the federal government to address overarching national security issues, bridging the gap between internal, external, economic and digital security. Merz emphasized that security is not solely the responsibility of a single ministry, stating it concerns all departments and that the establishment of the National Security Council will facilitate forward-looking strategic work.
The Chancellor announced the Security Council would be a key component of an integrated “security policy in one piece”. Furthermore, the cabinet also initiated legislation to strengthen the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) on Wednesday.