Coalition agreement spurs creation of German National Security Council

Germany is moving forward with plans to establish a National Security Council to enhance the coordination and effectiveness of its security policies.

German media reports that interdepartmental work on harmonising the draft for the council has already started.

Government sources indicated that the council’s rules of procedure are scheduled to be approved at a Cabinet meeting set for August 27.

The council will be based at the Chancellor’s Office, which officials say will allow the government to make well-informed decisions and leverage strategic forecasting to detect both medium- and long-term security threats.

“This body will enable the government to make informed decisions and use strategic forecasting to identify medium- and long-term threats,” government insiders emphasised.

The formation of this council was part of the coalition agreement between the conservative CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democratic Party.

Under the plan, the council will be chaired by the chancellor and will include key ministers, representatives from Germany’s federal states, and officials from allied nations and organisations such as the European Union and NATO.

The new body is intended to mirror similar councils in the United States and the United Kingdom, addressing a broad spectrum of national security concerns—from domestic and foreign issues to digital and economic security.

The council is expected to convene during crises and will also be tasked with crafting long-term security strategies.

In addition, prominent German security experts will be invited to contribute their expertise to the council’s work.

By Tamilla Hasanova