The Federal Criminal Police Office wants to increase the number of bodyguards for politicians in the next two years. This is partly due to the Gaza war, the statement says.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) wants to gradually increase the number of its bodyguards for top politicians from 500 to 700. As BKA chief Holger Münch told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), the number of officers in the area of personal protection is to increase from the current 500 to 600 in the coming year of the federal election and then by a further 100.
Growing danger at home and abroad
Münch explained his decision: “This is not only due to growing dangers at home, but also abroad – for example, the war in Ukraine or Gaza.”
Only a few days ago, Münch had commented on the growing dangers for politicians: “If we look at developments this year, we can see a significant increase in the number of cases of crimes against public officials and those holding mandates compared to last year,” he also told the RND. “The situation is very tense. And it could definitely get worse.”
The BKA is responsible for protecting, among others, the Federal President, the Federal Government, the Bundestag, the Bundesrat and the Federal Constitutional Court. The Bundestag will be re-elected on September 28th of next year.