Fears of wider conflict remain elevated in Germany more than three years after the start of the war in Ukraine, according to recent survey results from the non-profit Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (Cemas)
The data indicates that nearly half of respondents – 41 percent – express concern about the potential for a Third World War An even larger proportion, 52 percent, believe further conflicts within Europe are likely Researchers also found a correlation between heightened anxieties surrounding military escalation and increased susceptibility to disinformation; the greater the fear, the more likely individuals are to agree with pro-Russian narratives
“Fears can be a gateway to radicalization processes and manipulation” stated Pia Lamberty, Co-Director of Cemas Cemas has been tracking public anxieties since 2022, with concerns surrounding war peaking in May 2025 Despite growing fears, a majority of respondents – 53 percent – report feeling inadequately informed and expressed a desire for greater clarity from the government regarding potential war risks
The survey further reveals a limited level of preparedness for national defense among the German population Only 20 percent of those surveyed indicated a willingness to militarily defend the country if attacked and just nine percent had considered joining the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) A larger segment, 24 percent, felt they would need to take self-defense measures in a crisis scenario – a sentiment particularly prominent among supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party
The Cemas survey, conducted through Bilendi, involved 2,136 participants between April 24th and May 18th