Eva Högl, the Senate Councilor for the Interior of Bremen (SPD), has issued warnings ahead of the Interior Ministers’ Conference in Hamburg regarding threats posed by drones, cyberattacks, and espionage. She stressed the urgent need to protect crucial infrastructure and the general populace.
Speaking to the news portal T-Online, Högl stated, “Civilian defense is one of the key topics we are taking to Hamburg.” She highlighted Bremenhaven’s long history as a central NATO port, through which troops and materials once traveled. “This makes the State of Bremen attractive to foreign actors, and it is our duty to protect it proactively,” she cautioned.
The Senator, who previously served as the Federal Government’s Military Ombudsman, elaborated on the gravity of the situation, noting, “Drones over sensitive facilities, espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks: this situation is real, and it affects Bremen more than others.” Therefore, she argued, securing the port and critical installations must happen today, not only in a state of defense emergency. Högl emphasized that civilian defense is about protecting people every day, not just during a crisis. She pledged that Bremen would be advocating strongly for civilian defense capabilities in Hamburg.
Bremen is already making significant strides in these areas. Through a dedicated program, the city and Bremerhaven aim to become more resilient against crises by 2028. A specialized office is slated to centrally manage all countermeasures, focusing on warning the public about issues ranging from drinking water and food supplies to electricity and medical care.
Högl also warned about the exploitation of the current climate by extremists, who “fan the divisions in the country and question the purpose of such prevention measures.” She concluded by saying that due to its ports, “we bear a special responsibility,” adding that protecting Bremerhaven means securing a piece of European safety.
The conference itself is scheduled to take place from Wednesday to Friday, bringing together the Interior Ministers of various German states, as well as Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). According to Hamburg’s Senate Councilor for the Interior, Andy Grote (SPD), who is the acting chairman of the conference and host, the focus of the meeting will be the capacity for civilian defense and the effective defense against hybrid threats.
