This is what follows from a representative survey by the Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (Cemas) . Examining the results also shows East-West differences, according to which approval is significantly higher in East Germany.
German population agrees with strange statements
Pro-Russian conspiracy narratives are receiving increasing support in Germany. In addition to the clear opinions, there are also more and more people who at least partially agree with certain statements.
For example, in April 2022, 12 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that Putin would take action against a global elite that was pulling strings in the background, but this has now increased to 18 percent. Another 12 percent believe in a claim made by the Russian side, but never substantiated: that Ukraine, together with the USA, operated secret biolaboratories to produce bioweapons. Compared to April, the proportion of respondents who believe in this thesis has increased by 5 percent (previously it was 7%).
Other statements that go more towards legitimizing the war by Russia have also received more support in recent months. Among them, the proportion of respondents who agreed with the following statement rose from 8 to 14%: “Historically, Ukraine has no territorial claim of its own and is therefore part of Russia.” Furthermore, not 5% but 9% of those surveyed are now of the opinion that the war in Ukraine was necessary “to eliminate the fascist government there”.
Regional differences within Germany
The analysis of the survey results shows clear differences in the assessment of pro-Russian propaganda between East and West Germany. While in West Germany only 16% approve of the statement that NATO provoked Russia until Russia had to go to war; One in three people in East Germany now agree with this thesis. This means that the proportion of affirmations in eastern Germany is twice as high as in the west of the country. The percentages are equivalent when it comes to the claim that the war in Ukraine would only serve as a distraction from the corona pandemic. Here too, the proportion of approval in the east of Germany was 14%, twice as high as in the west (only 7%).
AFD voters are driving up percentages
The highest approval ratings for conspiracy ideological statements were registered by AFD voters. The two statements that Ukraine is actually part of Russia and that Russia had to go to war because of NATO provocations both received almost 50% support. Almost as strong, at 40%, was the statement that Putin would take action against a global elite that is pulling the strings in the background.
If we look at other groups of voters, the second highest approval ratings of all the claims queried were received by voters of the Left, with the lowest values achieved by voters of the Green Party.
Intense increase in disinformation campaigns
As the MAZ reports, Russian disinformation campaigns have increased again since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression. The Editorial Network Germany (RND) received this information from Cemas managing director Pia Lamberty. She added: “They [the disinformation campaigns] are intended to create chaos or discord and undermine trust in democracy itself.” This disinformation is therefore not just a security or information problem, but rather an acute attack on the entire democracy system as such.
Lamberty continued: “Our survey shows that the spread of conspiracy narratives has increased significantly since April. The crisis of the last few months can be the ideal breeding ground for conspiracy narratives, which are being fomented and reinforced by both right-wing extremists and Russia.”
Author: Nick L.
Source:
MAZ
Cemas - A total of 2,228 people across Germany were surveyed for the study between October 3rd, 2022 and October 11th, 2022.
You may also be interested in: Do articles of the UN Charter authorize Russia to attack Ukraine?
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