A recent study by the Ifo Institute reveals a significant increase in public support for military strengthening and troop expansion within Germany. The research, published Thursday, analyzes data from various sources assessing perceptions of security and approval of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces).
“Major crises like 9/11 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have fundamentally altered the public’s sense of threat and their approval of the Bundeswehr” stated Niklas Potrafke, head of the Ifo Center for Public Finance and Political Economy.
The study highlights a surge in perceived threat following the September 11, 2001 attacks. A similar sentiment of growing insecurity emerged during the 2014 Crimea crisis. This period triggered a noticeable shift in public opinion regarding defense matters, prompting increased support for elevated military spending and a larger armed force; a trend that remained relatively consistent until the dataset concluded in 2020.
Looking ahead, Potrafke anticipates that upcoming survey data for 2024, set to be released by the Bundeswehr, will further demonstrate this upward trend. He suggests that support may have broadened to include a greater number of supporters from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Green Party, compared to previous years.
These findings carry significant implications for the German government, which aims to substantially expand the Bundeswehr. This ambition requires not only financial resources and personnel, but also broad public backing. According to Emil Scholten, a co-author of the study, “Without societal acceptance, goals like the long-term expansion to a force of 500,000 soldiers are difficult to achieve”. Scholten emphasized the need for robust support from both political spheres and broader society, coupled with clear communication regarding the Bundeswehr’s objectives and operations.
