BERLIN – With Germany heading toward snap elections, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has issued a warning about heightened cyber threats, specifically targeting the country’s democratic processes. Faeser highlighted the need to defend against potential cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns, primarily from Russia, as outlined in the Federal Office for Information Security’s annual report released on Tuesday.
“Protecting our democracy extends to the digital realm as well,” Faeser said, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cybersecurity measures to counter threats from “hacker attacks, manipulation, and disinformation.” She noted that these hybrid threats predominantly emanate from Russia under President Vladimir Putin but also involve other international actors.
The call for bolstered cyber defenses comes as Germany’s political landscape faces a period of transition. The Social Democrat-led coalition government, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, recently dissolved due to economic challenges and rising support for populist parties, prompting early national elections.
While no significant cybersecurity incidents were reported during the EU and state elections in 2024, the report indicated that authorities are closely monitoring the cybersecurity landscape with intensified vigilance as the national elections approach.