A recent survey reveals a complex perspective among German citizens regarding national defense and security. Conducted by Forsa for the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, the poll, based on responses from 1,002 participants collected on July 28th and 29th, highlights a significant willingness to increase defense spending while simultaneously demonstrating limited personal readiness for armed conflict.
A substantial 67% of those surveyed believe it is appropriate for Germany to potentially double its defense budget by 2032. This sentiment finds broad support across the political spectrum, with 92% of CDU/CSU supporters, 75% of SPD supporters and 76% of Green party supporters expressing agreement. However, opinions diverge within other parties, with 59% of those affiliated with the Left party and 52% of AfD supporters opposing the expenditure increase.
Furthermore, 61% of respondents favor the reintroduction of mandatory military service should recruitment targets not be met through voluntary enlistment. This proposal, however, faces considerable opposition among younger demographics; 61% of individuals aged 18-29 are opposed, a stark contrast to the significantly lower opposition rates observed in older age groups.
Despite the endorsement of increased defense spending and the possibility of reintroduced conscription, the survey also uncovered a notable lack of personal preparedness for direct military action. Only 16% of respondents indicated a willingness to defend Germany with weapons in the event of an attack, with an additional 22% stating they “probably” would. A majority (59%) expressed a reluctance, stating they would “probably not” or “definitely not” participate. This aversion is considerably more pronounced among women (72%) compared to men (46%) and also prevalent within the over-60 age group (68%), exceeding the level of reluctance shown by those aged 18-29 (56%).