| Director of the National Intelligence Centre | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:CNIescudoespa%C3%B1a2.svg) Seal of the National Intelligence Centre | |
since May 11, 2022 | |
| National Intelligence Centre | |
| Reports to | Prime Minister Minister of Defence |
| Seat | Padre Huidobro Avenue, S/N, Madrid |
| Appointer | Monarch with the Minister of Defence countersignature |
| Term length | 5 years, no terms limit |
| Constituting instrument | National Intelligence Centre Act of 2002 |
| Precursor | Director of the Superior Defense Information Centre |
| Formation | May 6, 2002 |
| First holder | Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo |
| Deputy | Secretary-General of the National Intelligence Centre |
| Website | www |
The Director of the National Intelligence Centre, officially Secretary of State-Director of the National Intelligence Centre (SED) is the head of the National Intelligence Centre (CNI), the main intelligence agency of Spain. The SED is appointed by the Monarch at the proposal of the Minister of Defense after deliberation by the Council of Ministers.[1] The director is the main advisor to the prime minister and to the defence minister in matters of intelligence and counterintelligence.
As head of the Spanish intelligence services, the SED is responsible for promoting the agency's actions and coordinating its units to achieve the intelligence objectives set by the central government, ensuring the adequacy of the Centre's activities to these objectives and displaying the representation of that.[1]
The SED also prepares the CNI budget; appoints and separates staff; establishes the necessary relationships with public and private entities, with the law enforcement agencies and with the civil and military administrations for the proper development of the activities of the Centre and the SED also heads the National Cryptologic Center.[1] Furthermore, the director is the only official competent of the CNI to authorize its personnel to use firearms.[2]
The Secretary of State-Director is legally considered as the National Intelligence and Counterintelligence Authority.[3] The SED is also member of the National Security Council and the National Defense Council.[4]
- ^ a b c "National Intelligence Centre Act of 2002". boe.es. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "Royal Decree 240/2013, of April 5, which approves the Staff Statute of the National Intelligence Center". boe.es. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "National Security Act of 2015". boe.es. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "Royal Decree 1310/2007, of October 5, which regulates the operating regime of the National Defense Council and the composition and functions of the Interministerial Defense Committee". boe.es. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2020.