Majority of German voters view Russia as a security threat amid infrastructure attacks

The short version

• A representative infratest-dimap poll indicates that 56% of German voters consider Russia a threat to national security following recent infrastructure incidents.
• Perceptions vary sharply by region and party alignment, with roughly half of eastern Germans and two-thirds of AfD voters viewing the threat as low.
• The survey highlights deep political dissatisfaction, placing Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a 13% approval rating while the AfD leads federal polling with 27% support.
• Key uncertainties remain regarding the attribution of recent acts of sabotage and the outcomes of upcoming state elections.

Key facts

• An ARD Deutschlandtrend survey of 1,319 voters conducted between August 31 and September 2 found that 56% view Russia as a threat to German security.[Deutsche Welle]
• The German government publicly attributed a recent drone incident at Leipzig Airport to Russia, alongside reports of arson near Bavarian defense contractors and explosives at substations.[Deutsche Welle]
• Approximately 40% of surveyed voters believe German arms exports to Ukraine go too far, with opposition strongest in eastern Germany and among AfD supporters.[Deutsche Welle]
• The right-wing AfD party polled at 27% in federal voting intentions, leading the ruling CDU/CSU coalition partner at 21%.[Deutsche Welle]
• Approval for Chancellor Friedrich Merz stands at 13%, with only 15% of respondents expressing satisfaction with the governing coalition's overall performance.[Deutsche Welle]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Majority of Germans see Russia as a threatDeutsche Welle