Chancellor Merkel v the German Intel Community

For John, BLUF:  Even if an agency styles itself the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, it should not run roughshod over the elected political leadership.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

German spy scandal exposes deep divisions in Merkel government

From Reuters News Service, by Mr Paul Carrel, 14 September 2018.

A longish article, here is the meat of it:

The rift opened up in October 2015, when Merkel put her chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, in charge of Germany’s response to the refugee crisis, with Emily Haber - a diplomat - acting as point person in the Interior Ministry.

That chain of command effectively shut out the security services, which couldn’t get face time with Merkel.

“That totally frustrated these people ... they were horrified,” said Alexander.

So, it isn't just in the United States were the Intelligence Community appears to be at odds with the leader of the elected government.

In this case it is Chancellor Angela Merkel and Hans-Georg Maassen, chief of the BfV intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (German:  Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz or BfV).

Regarding the event that exposed this problem, here is a view from Mr Rick Moran and the magazine American Thinker.

Hat tip to the Drudge Report.

Regards  —  Cliff