German interior minister blames ‘left-wing terrorists’ for major Berlin power grid sabotage

German Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has attributed a four-day power outage in Berlin to “left-wing terrorists,” signaling a significant escalation in the government’s rhetoric following the sabotage.

The cable fire that triggered the blackout is being categorized by both the Berlin state senate and the federal government as an act perpetrated by “left-wing extremist terrorists.” Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) told reporters, “We are talking about left-wing terrorism,” a sentiment later echoed and confirmed by Dobrindt.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) also characterized the incident as a “terrorist act,” noting that the Federal Prosecutor General has taken charge of the investigation. Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) confirmed on Wednesday that the federal prosecutor’s office has officially assumed jurisdiction over the case.

“The arson attack has had, and continues to have, serious consequences for tens of thousands of people,” Hubig stated. “Therefore, the constitutional state must and will use all permissible instruments with the necessary determination to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.”

The attack has been attributed to a group known as the “Vulkan Group” (Vulkangruppe), which has issued a letter claiming responsibility. Following the publication of the letter, CDU politicians such as Roderich Kiesewetter and Ruprecht Polenz took to social media to suggest a potential connection to Moscow.

Doubts were raised regarding the authenticity of the claim, with some questioning whether the text was originally written in German or translated from Russian using translation software. Late Tuesday evening, the Leipzig-based news portal knack.news published a second letter from the Vulkan Group rejecting such speculation.

According to the group, the allegations were “nothing more than an attempt by the German government to conceal its own impotence.” The group argued that those claiming every act of sabotage is “necessarily the work of a foreign intelligence service” are “denying the reality of domestic social conflicts.” They further pointed out that these critics failed to mention the possible involvement of “domestic” intelligence services.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry stated that the federal government possesses no information regarding a “possible Russian translation” or a “so-called false flag operation.”

It remains unclear whether the Vulkan Group actually exists as a cohesive entity, if it has been infiltrated by individual informants, or if it is entirely controlled by an intelligence service.

Alexander Throm, a member of the Bundestag and part of the CDU’s parliamentary intelligence committee, told dpa that it is now clear that “left-wing extremism and left-wing terrorism can no longer be trivialized, as is still frequently the case in left-wing and Green circles.”

The Greens are also among those calling on the Interior Minister to take action. Green Party leader Felix Banaszak stated that he expects Dobrindt to “finally recognize that critical infrastructure, such as power grids, must be better protected.”

Irene Mihalic, the parliamentary secretary for the Green Group and a police officer by profession, demanded that the federal government do everything in its power to prevent a recurrence of such attacks. She argued that Dobrindt must, “above all, ensure comprehensive protection against sabotage.”

Reports indicate that Dobrindt is preparing a comprehensive security package targeting “left-wing extremists and radical climate activists.” According to Bild, the far-left Vulkan Group has been active for 15 years, carrying out acts of arson and sabotage, yet authorities have failed to find concrete leads regarding the individuals behind these actions.

To end this “ghost series,” Dobrindt is pursuing a major policy shift based on a two-pillar concept.

Dobrindt plans to significantly bolster the personnel of the intelligence services to better monitor “left-wing extremist” circles. A central component of this plan is the expansion of digital powers, allowing investigators faster access to digital footprints.

Arguing that those planning attacks online must “lose their anonymity,” Dobrindt stated, “Security is the highest priority, but without neglecting the fight against right-wing extremism.”

To ensure the provision of basic necessities for citizens, the CSU is pushing for the creation of a legal “protective wall” through the KRITIS umbrella law. This legislation would establish binding protection regulations for electricity, water, and telecommunications.

Under the proposed law, operators would be required to implement strict security concepts and emergency plans. Furthermore, higher IT security standards for digital networks and control systems would be mandated by law to prevent hacker attacks and sabotage.

Sensitive data regarding infrastructure would undergo security screenings to assess potential for misuse, ensuring that such information does not become material for attacks by “extremists.”

Asserting that the state must regain the initiative, Dobrindt concluded: “We will not leave the stage to left-wing extremists and climate extremists. The solution to terror is more personnel, more authority, and tougher laws.”

Alexander Throm, the domestic policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU group in the Bundestag, believes the government is particularly behind schedule regarding the acquisition of IP addresses by security forces. Advocating for sharper measures in “counter-terrorism,” Throm said, “The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as a defensive service, must have the capability to investigate networks and issue warnings before blackouts or worse occur.”

Throm praised Dobrindt’s firm stance, adding, “The trivialization of left-wing terrorism by left-wing-Green circles must finally stop. Left-wing terrorism must be prosecuted with all its consequences.”