In a survey, the majority of Germans support higher defense spending. Nearly three out of four respondents (72 percent) support a doubling in the next ten years, according to the representative survey “The Berlin Pulse” published in Hamburg on behalf of the Körber Foundation. At the same time, 61 percent reject Germany’s military leadership role in Europe.
According to the foundation, there are clear differences between East and West when it comes to the question of Germany’s international role. In Western countries, 51 percent support more German involvement in international crises, while in the East only 35 percent do. In contrast, 52 percent of respondents in the Eastern region demanded Germany to be more restrained and 42 percent in the Western region. Across Germany, 48 percent support deploying more troops in times of crisis; 43 percent want less commitment.
More than half (59 percent) called for continued support of Ukraine with weapons. If there is a deal to end the war, 56 percent support German troops taking part in a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine. However, there is still skepticism: only about a fifth assume that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in a negotiated solution. Additionally, 47 percent of Germans view Russia as a threat.
The survey was conducted on behalf of the Forsa Foundation. 1,503 eligible voters aged 18 and over were surveyed.
