Merz Unveils Hybrid Threatโฃ Action Plan, Urges Coalition Unity Amidst Internal Disputes
Berlin, 2024/05/08 16:15 CEST – CDU Chairman โFriedrich Merz today announced a comprehensive action โขplan to counter hybridโ threatsโ falling short โฃofโ traditional military conflict, signaling a heightened focus on nationalโ security. The initiative will be a key agenda itemโข at theโ inaugural meetingโ of โฃthe newly established National Security Council of the Federal Government,encompassingโ measures designed to defendโฃ against espionage,sabotage,and drone attacks.
merz’s announcementโ comes as the governing coalition navigates internal friction, particularly โsurrounding proposed changesโ toโฃ military service laws. He directly appealedโข for reduced infighting within the black-red coalition, emphasizing the necessity of a unified frontโค to address โpressing โnational challenges. โThe โขcall for cohesion underscores the growing concern over both external threats and the potential for internal political divisions โto hinder effective governance.
The action โขplan, to be discussed by the National โขSecurity Council, represents a proactive response to โevolving security challenges.โ Merz highlighted the needโข toโ address threats thatโฃ operate below โthe threshold of overt military engagement, acknowledging the increasing sophistication of hybrid warfareโฃ tactics. The plan’s scope includes โbolstering defenses โagainst espionage activities, preempting acts of sabotage, andโ developing strategies toโ mitigateโ the โrisks posed by drone technology.
Beyond national security, Merz addressed recent disagreements within the coalition, specifically referencing a dispute within the SPD parliamentary group regarding the military service law following โa productive coalition committee โขmeeting. Heโ revealed having spoken with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to resolve โthe โฃissue and plans to meet withโข him in the coming days to forge a solution.โ “The government hasโฃ to solve problems,” Merz stated, adding that the coalition must avoid projecting an image of โคdisunity.
