Verfassungsschutz Reform: A Threat to Democracy?

The German domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), is set to undergo a fundamental reform and be granted more powers. The black-red federal cabinet recently passed a corresponding draft law submitted by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). The author, who was under surveillance by the BfV for four decades, argues that the agency is a notorious problem case with a long history of scandals, and that the reform plans pose a real danger to democracy. He lists five reasons why the BfV remains problematic, drawing on his personal experience. The author's file, which he has seen, contains details of the surveillance. The reform is part of a broader trend of strengthening the agency, which has been ongoing for some time. The author calls for a fundamental reconsideration of the role of domestic intelligence in a democracy.