Disinformation operations, cyber-attacks, espionage and sabotage activities are viable options for foreign actors to influence voting behavior and electoral procedures. The activities in question can be subversive or coercive in nature or include deliberate actions aimed at weakening, destabilizing or disrupting democracies.

Russia’s escalation with the West since attacking Ukraine has led to a greater motivation for Russia to actively target the election in Germany. But other actors may also view the early election date as an opportunity to conduct influence operations.

BfV has therefore installed a taskforce to increase cooperation with other national security agencies and international partners and to safeguard the election from illegitimate foreign influence operations.
Predictions on whether and to what extent attempts will be made to influence the German federal election are never certain. Foreign actors, however, have a diverse set of tools and a wide range of targets to choose from. These can include direct influence activities by, for instance, actively supporting specific candidates or parties or discrediting others. Indirect activities aimed at discrediting and undermining the electoral process in general are another conceivable approach. Influence actors will adapt their methods according to necessity and situation.

If you have information regarding illegitimate influence activities targeting the German federal election, the BfV can be contacted via its hotline against extremism, terrorism and espionage or by contacting BfV’s prevention section for economic and scientific security.