Germany Prepares for Potential Foreign Interference in February Election

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of Russian-led efforts involving cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage targeting the Bundestag election.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency, BfV, has established a task force to counteract potential foreign interference in the Bundestag election scheduled for February 23, 2025.
The BfV highlights Russia as the primary threat, citing its expanded use of disinformation, cyberattacks, and propaganda since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Potential interference tactics include hacking, deepfake videos, targeted discrediting of candidates, and efforts to undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Russian influence operations are reportedly aimed at reducing German support for Ukraine and fostering societal divisions, with increased focus on favoring specific political parties and candidates.
The task force is collaborating with national and international partners to detect and mitigate threats, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democratic processes.