National Security Council Transitions to New Headquarters with Revised Safety Measures
The German government is set to establish a National Security Council (NSC), aiming to strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of national security policies. The new council, to be chaired by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), will replace the Federal Security Council and the Security Cabinet [1][2].
The NSC will consist of key federal ministers, representatives from Germany’s federal states, and officials from allied entities such as the EU and NATO. The council will convene during crises, craft long-term security strategies, and use strategic forecasting to identify medium- and long-term security threats across various domains, including domestic, foreign, digital, economic, and more [1][2].
One of the key differences between the NSC and existing bodies like the Federal Security Council and Security Cabinet is its broader inclusivity and strategic scope. For instance, it will include representatives from federal states for the first time, enhancing coordination with regional authorities. It will also integrate a wide spectrum of security concerns, such as cyber and economic security, in a unified framework akin to the US and UK models [1][2].
The NSC will be located within the Chancellor’s Office, facilitating higher-level, centralized decision-making and strategic foresight. In addition, the council will involve invited security experts to inform decision-making, expanding beyond formal government actors. The NSC will also have structured procedures for meetings during crises and continuous strategy development [1][2].
The new council will not have a national security advisor like in the USA. Decisions of the National Security Council may be made public. The meeting will take place in the Ministry of Defense in Berlin [1][2].
In addition to the National Security Council, there are plans for a National Crisis Staff of the federal government and a National Situation Center in the Federal Chancellery. The National Security Strategy developed under the current government will be updated by the NSC in its strategic work [1][2].
The rules of procedure for the National Security Council will be decided at the next meeting of the Federal Cabinet on August 27 [1][2].
[1] German Government Press Release, "Establishment of the National Security Council," (2022). [2] Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community, "National Security Council," (2022).
What will be the function of the National Security Council (NSC) in light of politics and general-news? The NSC, set to replace the Federal Security Council and the Security Cabinet, aims to widen its inclusivity and geographical scope, crafting long-term security strategies through integration of federal ministers, representatives from Germany’s federal states, officials from allied entities such as the EU and NATO, and inviting security experts to inform decision-making. This broader focus includes various domains like domestic, foreign, digital, economic, and more.
