German Coalition Vows Stronger Protection for Critical Infrastructure After Berlin Blackout
Berlin, January 28 – The German coalition government, comprising the CDU/CSU and SPD, has pledged to enhance the security of critical infrastructure, including electricity networks, in response to a recent power outage that severely impacted parts of Berlin. This decision was announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) following the first coalition committee meeting of the year.
Chancellor Merz emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating, “The power outage in Berlin has shown how vulnerable our society is, and how much Germany relies on stable infrastructure.” The incident, believed to be linked to a left-wing extremist attack, caused a multi-day disruption to the power supply for 45,000 households in the southwest of the capital earlier in January. This left many without heating, internet, and mobile communications in the middle of winter.
Reduced Public Information on Key Infrastructure
A key proposal from the coalition is to limit public access to information regarding critical infrastructure. Merz elaborated, “We must move away from extensive transparency and towards more resilience. This primarily means that we no longer make information about this infrastructure so easily publicly accessible.” This includes geodata and other security-relevant details. Both federal and state governments are tasked with reviewing the extent of information disclosure concerning key infrastructure facilities. Additionally, there is a focus on enabling faster repairs of damages.
The federal government has already introduced a draft for a so-called Critical Infrastructure Umbrella Act (Kritis-Dachgesetz), which is awaiting parliamentary approval.
Federal and State Collaboration Essential
Markus Söder, leader of the CSU, underscored the necessity of a collaborative approach between federal and state authorities in protecting critical infrastructure. “Therefore, the states will also conduct an absolute state check to review all these critical infrastructures,” said the Bavarian Minister-President.
Economic Resilience and Geopolitical Realities
Beyond physical infrastructure, the coalition also aims to strengthen the resilience of the economy. Merz highlighted the need for businesses to better understand their vulnerabilities, particularly concerning supply chains for critical components and potential terrorist threats. He stressed the importance of improving German economic performance in innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. Merz also noted that “great powers are acting without regard,” without directly naming any specific nations.
SPD leader and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil offered a more direct assessment, acknowledging that Europe had acted assertively in its dealings with the USA over Greenland. However, he added, “Nevertheless, I am firmly convinced that we have gained maximum time.” Klingbeil emphasized the need for Germany and Europe to become more sovereign. “I want Europe to become so strong that we don’t have to belittle ourselves before any other country,” he asserted, highlighting Germany’s leadership responsibility in this endeavor.
2026: The Year of Action and Democracy Protection
Bärbel Bas, co-leader of the SPD, declared that 2026 should be “the year of tackling and not waiting,” especially concerning upcoming social welfare reforms. The coalition is also concerned about cyberattacks and manipulated images or videos generated by artificial intelligence on digital platforms, particularly in light of the upcoming five state elections. Bas stressed that democracy must also be protected “against external influences.”
The recent Berlin power outage serves as a stark reminder of the continuous need for robust security measures and strategic foresight in safeguarding national assets and public well-being.
Source: https://www.on-online.de/artikel/1628274/Koalition-will-kritische-Infrastruktur-besser-schuetzen
