Here at Haarbergstrasse 61 stands the Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen. It is not just a building. It is the guardian of Thuringia’s free democratic order.
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Thuringia has a vital mission. It enables authorities to avert threats against the state. This includes threats to the free democratic order. It also covers the existence and security of the nation and its states.
Since January 1, 2015, the Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen operates within the Thuringian Ministry of the Interior and Local Government. Before that, it was an independent state authority. It was known as the Thuringian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution. This was from 1991 to 2014.
Let’s delve into its structure. The President heads the office. Several organizational units report to the President. These include the Controlling staff unit, which monitors departmental work. Section 50 handles policy, legal matters, and committee work. Section 51 is the press office. It manages information and public relations. Evaluation falls under Section 52. Procurement is managed by Section 53. Cross-sectional tasks are handled by Section 54. This includes personnel and material security. It also covers counter-espionage.
In 2017, the Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen had approximately 98 employees.
Stephan J. Kramer has been the President of the Amt für Verfassungsschutz since December 2015. He was introduced by the Minister of the Interior, Holger Poppenhäger. Kramer also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Working Group IV “Protection of the Constitution”. This group is part of the Standing Conference of Interior Ministers and Senators of the Länder.
The legal foundation for the Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen is the Thuringian Constitution Protection Act. This law was enacted on August 8, 2014.
The Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen is subject to ongoing monitoring. The Controlling Office reports directly to the President. The State Parliament’s Control Commission provides parliamentary monitoring.
The Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen has faced its share of controversies. One notable case involved informants in the right-wing extremist scene. Tino Brandt, an informant, headed the Thuringian Homeland Security. Members of this group later formed the National Socialist Underground or NSU. The NSU committed a series of murders and attacks.
In March 2015, the state government decided to shut down all undercover agents. Exceptions are made for specific terrorist threats.
The Amt für Verfassungsschutz Thüringen continues its work today. It adapts to changing threats. It is dedicated to protecting Thuringia’s democratic values.