ROUNDUP/Klöckner: 'The Bundestag is a coveted target'

BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - According to its President, Julia Klöckner, the German Bundestag must strengthen its defenses against cyberattacks from other countries. "Unfortunately, we are experiencing numerous hacker attacks. The Bundestag is a popular target," the CDU politician told the German Press Agency in Berlin. "We will have to further strengthen our defenses against cyberattacks." Klöckner also sees room for improvement in the security screening of visitors entering the Bundestag.

Already a successful cyber attack on the Bundestag

In May 2015, the largest cyberattack against the Bundestag to date came to light. Computers in numerous members' offices were infected with spyware, including computers in the office of then-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). The attack resulted in a complete overhaul of the parliament's IT system. The German government suspected Russian involvement.

She also blamed Russia for an attack on email accounts at the SPD party headquarters in 2023. It remains unclear who was behind an attack on the CDU party headquarters a year later.

Klöckner doesn't want to grant hackers their triumph

The Bundestag has "high symbolic significance," Klöckner said. "If the German Bundestag were to be paralyzed during a legislative reading or vote, for example, and deadlines could not be met, that would be a triumph for hackers." From the Bundestag President's perspective, it's therefore not just about protecting parliament. "Fending off this has something to do with the stabilization and resilience of our democracy."

Klöckner wants better options for security checks

The President of the Bundestag also sees a need for improvements in security in Parliament. Specifically, this concerns the security screening of visitors. "What is missing is a legal basis that would allow, for example, the Bundestag police to receive information if someone is classified as a threat or has already been conspicuously exposed in a manner that endangers the constitution." According to Klöckner, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is not permitted to transmit this information to the Bundestag police.

"That's why we need a Bundestag police law. It would be absurd if existing serious findings were not applied here," Klöckner said.

Bundestag is the most visited parliament

The Bundestag welcomes two million visitors every year, more than any other parliament, Klöckner explained. "Everyone has to go through a security check. Why? Once you're in the Bundestag, you can theoretically go anywhere. Here, the entire federal government is sometimes present during plenary sessions; there's no protection between the visitors' gallery and the plenary hall."

New attempt for a Bundestag police law

In the last legislative period, the attempt to enact a federal police law failed. "We are currently exploring where there is agreement so that we can reach a decision quickly. The precise wording will then be up to the parliamentary groups," Klöckner said.

Access rules have been repeatedly tightened in the past

The Bundestag has repeatedly tightened access rules and controls to protect members of parliament and staff – most recently last March. At that time, it was determined that no one should be allowed access to Bundestag buildings if, after appropriate screening, they determined they posed a risk to the functioning and work capacity or the safety of members and those present in the Bundestag.

In addition, the background check was extended to employees of members of parliament and parliamentary groups without physical access to the Bundestag, but with access to its information and communication system.

Stricter checks for issuing a house pass

"We conduct eligibility checks, including for employees who apply for a building pass," Klöckner said. "We even go into a second round with some people who have already attracted attention. These are isolated cases, but it's noticeable."/sk/DP/zb