The Federal Ministry of the Interior has developed a concept as part of the “Zeitenwende” initiative to strengthen “Civil Defense, Cybersecurity, and Border Protection” in the event of an emergency. According to a concept paper from the Ministry, dated August 2024, the plan was to establish food reserves, strengthen the Technical Relief Agency, and ensure the supply of drinking water, among other measures. The Ministry’s communication systems were also intended to be made crisis-proof, and the Federal Police were to be equipped to counter drone threats.
The Ministry reportedly plans to allocate an additional 18.5 billion euros over the next five years to fund these measures. The breakdown includes 10.3 billion euros for Civil Defense, 6.3 billion euros for Cybersecurity, and 1.9 billion euros for the improvement of border protection.
When asked about the plan, a Ministry spokesperson told a local newspaper that a re-evaluation of the needs had not taken place, and that the topic would likely be the subject of political discussions in the next legislative period.
The opposition has criticized the government’s handling of the issue, with a senior official from the Christian Social Union (CSU) stating that the Interior Minister had “completely neglected the topic of civil defense” during their tenure, despite Russia’s ongoing military activities in Europe. The official emphasized the need for a government that prioritizes the safety and protection of the population.