German Parliament Grants Intelligence Services Expanded Powers

The German Bundestag voted to pass a sweeping intelligence reform bill, with 309 MPs in favour, 190 against, and 71 abstentions. The legislation gives the country's BND foreign service and BfV domestic service new active capabilities, such as conducting covert operations abroad, disrupting disinformation networks, and taking protective actions against malicious IT systems and property. Proponents of the law, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, argue the reforms are a vital response to increasing hybrid threats, terrorism, and foreign espionage, particularly from nations like Russia, China, and Iran. However, critics like Left Party spokeswoman Clara Bünger have strongly condemned the changes, warning they erode the historical separation between police and secret services and grant dangerous executive powers reminiscent of past eras.