Weekly proceedings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)

German Government Updates on Key Missions and Legislation

The German Bundestag is set to make several important decisions this week, including the extension of the mandate for the EU mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until April 30, 2025, and the final decision on the government proposal to extend the mandate of "SEA GUARDIAN" until March 31, 2025. The German Armed Forces have been involved in both missions since February 2020, contributing to the implementation of the arms embargo against Libya and monitoring the Mediterranean.

In addition to these military missions, the German government is also focusing on digital legislation. Germany is overhauling its platform oversight with the Digital Services Act (DSA), aiming to increase transparency and accountability for online platforms. The DSA, an EU-wide regulation, addresses illegal content, disinformation, and user safety. As an EU member, Germany must transpose this regulation, but specific national amendments or further requirements tailored for Germany have not been detailed.

The DSA supplements the EU's Digital Services Act and creates a uniform legal framework for digital services across Europe. The act modernizes the legal framework for digital services in Germany and sets fines and penalties for violations. Users will be able to report online services that fail to meet obligations to the Federal Network Agency.

However, as of mid-2025, Germany has not yet finalized amendments specifically to the Digital Services Act (DSA) with a publicly available, detailed legislative update on this matter. The implications for online platform oversight within Germany will thus currently follow the base EU DSA framework, without distinct national changes publicly documented. Oversight will also be influenced by complementary laws like NIS 2 and data protection rules under GDPR.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to play a key role in protecting the civilian population, securing peace, and paving the way for elections in 2025. South Sudan remains dependent on the support of the international community due to fragile security situations, ethnic conflicts, and violence against the civilian population and humanitarian workers.

The "Square Kilometre Array" is another area of focus for the German government. This week, the Bundestag will introduce a bill on Germany's accession to the "Square Kilometre Array" observatory, with Germany set to become a full member with voting rights. The "Square Kilometre Array" is the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope for space observation.

In international affairs, the United Nations Security Council called upon all states to support the implementation of the arms embargo in its resolution of 19 October 2023, due to the ongoing violation of the arms embargo against Libya. The German Armed Forces will continue to create a comprehensive situation picture for the Mediterranean and monitor the sea area, as well as providing advisory, liaison, and observation officers, and support technical equipment, mine clearance, and the training of troop-contributing nations and the United Nations.

The Federal Network Agency will work closely with Brussels and other EU member states in implementing the DSA. For the most precise and up-to-date status on the Digital Services Act amendments in Germany, it is advisable to monitor official German government publications or the Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Government Modernization announcements post-July 2025.

The extension of EU mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until April 30, 2025, is among the decisions being made by the German Bundestag this week.
The German Armed Forces have been a part of the EU mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI since February 2020.
The German government is also deciding on the extension of the mandate of "SEA GUARDIAN" until March 31, 2025.
The German Armed Forces have been involved in mission "SEA GUARDIAN" since February 2020.
The German Armed Forces contribute to the implementation of the arms embargo against Libya and monitor the Mediterranean.
The German government is focusing on digital legislation and overhauling its platform oversight with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to increase transparency and accountability for online platforms.
The DSA is an EU-wide regulation that addresses illegal content, disinformation, and user safety.
Germany must transpose the Digital Services Act (DSA), but specific national amendments are yet to be detailed.
The DSA supplements the EU's Digital Services Act and creates a uniform legal framework for digital services across Europe.
The act modernizes the legal framework for digital services in Germany and sets fines and penalties for violations.
Users will be able to report online services that fail to meet obligations to the Federal Network Agency.
As of mid-2025, Germany has not yet finalized amendments specifically to the Digital Services Act (DSA) with a publicly available, detailed legislative update on this matter.
Oversight will also be influenced by complementary laws like NIS 2 and data protection rules under GDPR.
The United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) plays a key role in protecting the civilian population, securing peace, and paving the way for elections in 2025.
South Sudan remains dependent on the support of the international community due to fragile security situations, ethnic conflicts, and violence against the civilian population and humanitarian workers.
The "Square Kilometre Array" is another area of focus for the German government.
Germany is set to become a full member with voting rights in the "Square Kilometre Array" observatory.
The "Square Kilometre Array" is the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope for space observation.
The United Nations Security Council called upon all states to support the implementation of the arms embargo against Libya.
The German Armed Forces will continue to create a comprehensive situation picture for the Mediterranean and monitor the sea area.
The Federal Network Agency will work closely with Brussels and other EU member states in implementing the DSA.
For the most precise and up-to-date status on the Digital Services Act amendments in Germany, it is advisable to monitor official German government publications or the Federal Ministry for Digitalization and Government Modernization announcements post-July 2025.
The ongoing violation of the arms embargo against Libya necessitates the continued support of the international community.
The "Square Kilometre Array" offers opportunities for extensive space observation and scientific research.