Drones are being spotted at the parliament in Berlin more and more frequently. But the federal police are actually not responsible, despite a special unit.
June 13, 2026, 08:40June 13, 2026, 08:40
A sign prohibiting drones in front of the Bundestag: The German Interior Ministry sees a risk of attacks from the air.Image: www.imago-images.de
The German Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has warned of an increased risk of possible drone attacks on the German Bundestag and the buildings of other constitutional bodies. He wrote in one to the President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner (CDU) according to the “Rheinischer Post” that the growing number of drone sightings in recent months has made security authorities more aware. He calls for “a constant drone defense capability”.
“The protection of the constitutional bodies is of particular importance given the abstract threat situation,” emphasized the minister, according to the newspaper. In December, Klöckner asked the Interior Ministry to what extent the Federal Police’s new drone defense unit could be used to secure Parliament.
Federal police are only allowed to protect Parliament as administrative assistance
According to the report, this is only possible “temporarily” as part of administrative assistance, according to the report in the reply letter from the Interior Minister. At the same time, Dobrindt refers to the “original responsibility” of the Berlin state police.
The German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.Image: keystone
The Bundestag administration has now written to Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD), reported the “Rheinische Post”. After Dobrindt’s clarification of responsibilities, it is now “of particular importance to implement the necessary joint steps for effective drone defense as quickly as possible,” according to the report in the letter from the director of the Bundestag, Paul Göttke. The first discussions about the practical implementation are said to have already taken place.
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