Overview
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz chaired the inaugural meeting, which approved a cross-department action plan against hybrid threats.
- The government identifies Russia as the primary source of such activities, with measures covering counterintelligence and protection of critical infrastructure like power, water and energy pipelines.
- Members tasked work on a year-end plan to diversify critical raw-material supplies, including steps on circular economy, stockpiling and domestic mining.
- Sessions and most decisions will remain confidential under the council’s rules, with disclosures decided case by case.
- The body brings nine key ministers and security chiefs under the Chancellery, will absorb the Bundessicherheitsrat, and is set to take over arms-export approvals.