Parliament’s security: Klöckner: “The Bundestag is a coveted goal”

According to its President Julia Klöckner, the German Bundestag must protect itself more against cyber attacks from other countries. “Unfortunately we have numerous hacker attacks. The Bundestag is a sought-after goal,” said the CDU politician of the German Press Agency in Berlin. “We will have to further strengthen our defensive capacity to protect against cyber attacks.” Klöckner also sees need for improvement in the security check of visitors who come to the Bundestag.

Already a successful cyber attack on the Bundestag

In May 2015, the largest cyber attack against the Bundestag became known to date. Computers in numerous MPs were infected with spy software, including computers in the office of the then Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). The attack resulted in the IT system of the parliament had to be overhauled. The federal government assumed that Russia was involved.

For a 2023 attack on e-mail accounts of the SPD party center, she also blamed Russia. It is still unclear who is behind an attack on the CDU party center a year later.

Klöckner does not want to treat Hackern to the triumph

The Bundestag has a “high symbolism,” said Klöckner. “If the German Bundestag would be paralyzed during a legislative reading or vote and deadlines could not be met, that would be a triumph for Hacker.” From the perspective of the Bundestag president, it is therefore not just about the protection of parliament. “To defend yourself against it has something to do with stabilization and resilience of our democracy.”

Klöckner wants better opportunities for security controls

The Bundestag president also sees the need for improvement in parliament. Specifically, it is about the security check of visitors. “What is missing is a legal basis that, for example, allows the Bundestag police to receive the information when someone is classified as a threat or has already become noticeable in a constitutional manner.” According to Klöckner, the Protection of the Constitution should not transmit this information to the Bundestag police.

“Therefore we need a Bundestag police law. It would be absurd if there were no serious knowledge here,” said Klöckner.

Bundestag is the most visited parliament

The Bundestag counts two million visitors every year, as many as no other parliament, explained Klöckner. “Everyone always has to go through a security check. Why? If you are in the Bundestag, you can theoretically go anywhere. Here the complete federal government is partly present in plenary sessions, there is no protection between visitors and plenary hall.”

New attempt for a Bundestag police law

In the past legislative period, the project had failed to issue a Federal Police Act. “Now we are knocking where there is agreement so that we can quickly make a decision. The exact formulation is then the responsibility of the factions,” said Klöckner.

Access rules in the past repeatedly tightened

In the past, the Bundestag had tightened the access rules and controls several times for the protection of MPs and the employees – most recently only last March. At that time it was stated that nobody should have access to the buildings of the Bundestag, which, after a corresponding review, is a risk for the functional and work ability or the safety of members and those present in the Bundestag.

In addition, the reliability check was extended to employees of the MPs and factions without physical access to the Bundestag, but with access to its information and communication system.

Sharper checks for giving a house ID card

“We make admissibility checks, including employees who apply for a house ID,” said Klöckner. “With some we even go into the second round when someone has become conspicuous. These are occasional cases, but it is noticeable.”