Germany is set to launch a National Security Council (NSR), a significant reform aimed at consolidating security policy and improving crisis response. This new body will replace the existing Federal Security Council and the ad hoc Security Cabinet, marking a pivotal development in the nation's security framework. The NSR's inaugural meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2025, at the Ministry of Defence in Berlin, with official operations commencing the following day, August 28, 2025.
The establishment of the NSR is a key commitment from the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD parties, reflecting a strategic response to the increasingly complex global security landscape. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office on May 6, 2025, has championed this initiative as part of a broader effort to bolster Germany's capacity for proactive policymaking and effective crisis management. The council will be chaired by the Federal Chancellor and will include key ministers from Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior, Justice, Economy, Development, and Digital Affairs, along with the Head of the Chancellery, ensuring a comprehensive, cross-ministerial approach to national security.
The NSR is designed to be adaptable, with the ability to incorporate representatives from federal states, NATO, the European Union, and external experts to foster a broad perspective and integrated strategy. Its mandate includes consolidating security-relevant information, developing integrated situation reports, and providing strategic foresight to enable more informed and cohesive decision-making, particularly during crises. The council will also place a significant emphasis on threats emerging from the digital and cyber spheres. This reform aims to overcome fragmentation and siloed thinking within Germany's security apparatus, with the expectation of significantly improving coordination and expediting decision-making processes.
This move aligns with Germany's ambition to play a more assertive leadership role in European security and adapt its defense posture to evolving geopolitical realities. Chancellor Merz has advocated for transforming the Bundeswehr into the strongest conventional army in Europe and increasing defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2029, underscoring the government's commitment to a robust security framework. The establishment of the NSR is viewed as a crucial step in professionalizing Germany's security architecture, integrating expertise from think tanks, associations, and specialists to build a unified national security overview for all government members. This strategic foresight is intended to enhance the government's ability to anticipate and address both medium- and long-term risks, shifting towards a more proactive stance. The council's structure and mandate draw inspiration from similar bodies in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, aiming to mirror their effectiveness in coordinating national security strategies and responding to diverse threats, from economic security to cyber warfare.