Germany names first ever intelligence chief of Turkish descent in historical milestone
Sinan Selen, a seasoned lawyer with a diverse background, has been appointed as the new head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The announcement was made by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the integration of migrants into German security authorities.
Selen, who was born in Istanbul, Turkey, moved to Germany at the age of 4 when his parents, both journalists with Deutsche Welle (DW), immigrated to the country. He later studied law at the University of Cologne, specialising in domestic and justice policy.
Before joining the security sector, Selen worked as an administrative lawyer at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Police Office. He also served in security roles at TUI Group and worked on public safety matters at the Interior Ministry and Federal Police headquarters. Currently, Selen serves as deputy president of the BfV, having taken on the role on an acting basis for the past 10 months.
Selen's appointment comes at a crucial time for German intelligence, with the agency marking its 75th anniversary on Oct. 27. The agency, which employs 4,200 people, faces challenges such as the escalating cyberattacks and espionage operations by foreign entities, including Russia. However, there is no mention of any former German intelligence officer denying espionage charges for Russia, or the death of a German spy in Islamabad, in the provided information.
Selen replaces Thomas Haldenwang, who resigned in late 2024 to run unsuccessfully for parliament. With this appointment, Selen becomes the first person of immigrant background to head a German security institution. One insider described Selen as the best professional in German security agencies.
The appointment of Selen as the BfV chief was expected and based on media reports citing sources from the ruling Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) coalition. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently called for a "foreign and security policy paradigm shift," and Selen's appointment could be seen as a step towards implementing this shift.
As the new head of the BfV, Selen will face numerous challenges, but his diverse background and extensive experience make him well-equipped to lead the agency in ensuring the safety and security of Germany's citizens.
