(de-news.net) – The Federal Cabinet has ratified the procedural framework for the proposed National Security Council (NSC), which, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is intended to serve as the principal forum for governmental deliberation on foreign and security policy. The overarching objective of this initiative is to establish a coherent and integrated approach to national security.

The NSC is designed to consolidate and evaluate information across various domains, including economic, digital, external, and internal security. In addition to convening in response to crises, the council will formulate strategic responses to emerging threats. As indicated by official sources, its primary function is to enhance the systematic aggregation, analysis, and coordination of expertise, thereby enabling the federal government to make decisions grounded in comprehensive and reliable data.

The council will be chaired by Chancellor Merz, with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil serving as deputy. Permanent membership will include the heads of the Federal Chancellery and the ministries responsible for finance, foreign affairs, defense, interior, justice, economic affairs and energy, economic cooperation and development, digital affairs, and state modernization. Additional governmental representatives may be invited on an ad hoc basis. Furthermore, participation may extend to officials from German security agencies. Notably, for the first time, representatives from the federal states, foreign governments, the European Union, and NATO may also be co-opted, on a case-by-case basis.

Provided that neither federal statutes nor the Basic Law mandate a resolution by the full cabinet, the NSC shall possess the authority to render final decisions. The establishment of the NSC was previously outlined in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. It is expected to assume the responsibilities currently held by the Security Cabinet and the Federal Security Council.