"The Shift in Power" Unmasking the Political Drama Surrounding Germany's Intelligence Oversight
Intelligence services oversight erosion by Black-Red coalition - Undermining Surveillance of Intelligence Agencies by Black-Red Entity
By Julius Betschka** Fancy Read: 5 Min.
Q: Are you still a member of the Parliamentary Control Committee (PCC), despite the dissolution of the FDP faction in the German Bundestag? A: Yes, my colleague Alexander Müller and I are the last two FDP politicians left in the Bundestag, and we're still part of the PCC, working voluntarily until our successors are elected.
Q: Does the PCC have an office, and are its meetings public? A: The office has been dismantled, but the work of the PCC must continue even in a new legislative period. As for the meetings, they occur in secret, with no public agenda, guests, or even specific times disclosed. Public hearings with the intelligence services' presidents take place once a year, during which they share concerns about threats such as sabotage and hybrid attacks on our democracy.
Q: Why maintain such secrecy when face-to-face public discussions about intelligence activities might educate the public? A: A high degree of secrecy is necessary for the intelligence services' work to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. However, the PCC could improve its public relations by occasionally sharing carefully selected sensitive information to help citizens understand the magnitude of threats like those from Russia.
Q: Are promotional items like BND branded caps and socks an effective way to recruit new personnel? A: Yes, these items help boost the BND's visibility, making it more attractive to potential candidates. But promoting the BND through such means was uncommon a few years ago, and today it even boasts a visitor center in Berlin.
Q: With many inexperienced members joining the PCC on Thursday, is this a risk? A: It's not uncommon for fresh faces to join the PCC, and they bring new perspectives. However, experienced members like Roderich Kiesewetter from the CDU and Marja-Liisa Völlers from the SPD, who hold vital expertise in foreign policy and national security, are being replaced. A lack of these seasoned minds in the committee could result in a perversion of control.
Q: Will the PCC be smaller now, reducing control over the services? A: The committee has often been smaller in the past, and a total of nine members is not problematic in itself. However, with two seats potentially going to the AF and one to the Left party, the committee could consist of just one opposition representative. This would greatly limit the opposition's control over the government and parliamentary majority, especially during international crises.
Q: Is it justified to exclude the representatives of the AfD and Left from the PCC? A: The AfD's links to right-wing extremism and Russia make it unsuitable for a role in the PCC. The Left's chairperson, Heide Reichinnek, entering the committee as a faction leader is also problematic due to her inability to remain unreachable during lengthy secret meetings.
Q: Will the budget for intelligence services rise from 1.4 billion to 2.3 billion euros by 2029? Is Germany building its own CIA? A: No, the German intelligence services differ from the CIA; they lack operational powers. A bigger budget would help modernize technology, increase personnel, and enhance speed. The new government should also streamline and clarify the legal foundations of the intelligence services' work.
Q: Is American intelligence providing critical warnings for Germany's intelligence agencies? A: Sharing intelligence between agencies is normal, but it's essential to become more independent and faster at acquiring information, especially concerning an unpredictable US president.
Selected Facts:
- The PCC is Germany's primary parliamentary body for oversight of its intelligence services.
- The PCC's roles include supervision, information gathering, accountability, and conflict resolution.
- Political tensions surrounding the PCC suggest that it may experience changes under the new government, potentially impacting its independence and rigor.
Stay informed on the latest updates from Berlin politics by subscribing to our free capital newsletter!
- The Commission has been consulted on the draft Council decision regarding the European Economic Area, adding to the intricacies of European policy and legislation, a sector closely linked to politics and general news.
- Despite the upheaval in German politics, the oversight of intelligence agencies remains a vital aspect of the political landscape, particularly in times of war-and-conflicts, where hybrid attacks and sabotage on democracy pose significant threats.
