Most Germans do not want Germany to take on the role of military leader in Europe, according to survey results published on Tuesday, LETA reports citing DPA.
61% of respondents answered "rather no" to the question of whether Germany should take on such a role, while 38% supported it. The survey was conducted by the public research and statistical analysis institute Forsa on behalf of the Körber Foundation.
In East Germany, 75% of survey participants opposed Germany playing a leading military role in Europe, while in West Germany, the figure was 58%.
The survey was conducted from September 15 to 26, with 1,503 voters participating. The study assessed public attitudes toward key issues of foreign and defense policy. About 76% of respondents acknowledged that these topics interest them greatly.
The survey also shows that German society is divided on whether the country should take on greater responsibility in international crises or maintain a more restrained position. Overall, 48% of respondents supported more active involvement, while 43% favored caution. In the western part of Germany, 51% supported a more active role, while in the east, only 35% did.
If Germany were to increase its involvement, most respondents would prefer diplomacy over military action. In West Germany, 71% of respondents supported a stronger diplomatic presence, while in East Germany, the figure was 84%. Only 19% of respondents in the west favored increased military participation, compared to just 7% in the east.
Following Donald Trump's return to the presidency of the United States, German opinions of the United States have significantly worsened. Nearly three-quarters of respondents rated relations between Germany and the U.S. as poor. A year earlier, under the administration of Joe Biden, a similar number of respondents believed that relations between the countries were good.
When asked who they believe is Germany's most important foreign policy partner, 46% named France and only 26% named the U.S.
Despite the wariness about Germany's military role, 72% of respondents acknowledged that doubling defense spending over the next decade would be justified. However, 82% of respondents rejected the idea that Germany should acquire its own nuclear weapons.
