A minority of 16% are willing to defend Germany, the findings suggest.
In a recent survey conducted by the Forsa opinion research institute, the willingness of Germans to defend their country in a military attack was scrutinized. The survey, which polled approximately 1,000 citizens, revealed some interesting insights into the public's defense posture.
The survey results suggest a high proportion of Germans believe Germany may have to defend another NATO member in the next five years due to an attack. Intriguingly, more than one in four (27%) Germans consider it very or rather likely that Germany will be militarily attacked in the next five years.
However, when it comes to personal readiness to defend Germany, the results paint a more cautious picture. The clear majority, 59% of Germans, would probably not or not at all be ready to defend Germany in a military attack with a weapon. On the contrary, only about one in six Germans (16%) would pick up a weapon without hesitation in a defense emergency.
Interestingly, among women, the proportion of those who would probably not or not at all defend Germany in a military attack with a weapon is higher than the overall average, with 72% falling into this category.
The survey did not provide specific details about the geographical region or countries considered in the potential military attack, nor did it specify the potential attacker or the nature of the attack. It's also worth noting that the survey did not delve into the methods used to conduct the survey or the demographic breakdown of the respondents.
Despite these gaps in information, the survey results reveal a level of concern among Germans about the possibility of a military attack in the near future. This concern is further underscored by the government's recent actions.
Germany is significantly increasing its defense budget, planning to nearly triple it to around 162 billion euros per year by 2029. This reflects a governmental shift towards stronger military defense, partly due to uncertainties about U.S. military support and ongoing conflicts like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Moreover, the Bundeswehr is expanding, including stationing a full armored brigade abroad for the first time post-WWII as part of reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank. This military buildup suggests a recognition of potential threats within the next five years.
While the survey data does not provide direct details about current German attitudes towards military defense and potential military attacks in the next five years, it does offer a glimpse into the evolving defense posture and public opinion context in Germany.
The survey was commissioned by the German editorial network. For a more comprehensive understanding of the public sentiment, access to the exact poll data would be required.
In light of the survey's findings and the government's increasing defense budget, a parallel can be drawn between growing public concerns about military attacks and political strategies prioritizing stronger defense in Germany. Furthermore, the survey's results highlight the need for further in-depth analysis of the general public's stance towards defense services and militaristic politics within the next five years.
