German intelligence sets up task force to prevent foreign interference in upcoming election

Germany's domestic intelligence agency (BfV) has established a task force to monitor and counter potential foreign interference in the upcoming federal election, following warnings about an increase in Russian-backed espionage and sabotage activities.

The BfV cautioned that foreign actors could engage in disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, spying, or sabotage ahead of the snap election scheduled for February 23, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

This follows the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition earlier this month, which prompted the need for early elections. The agency highlighted that Russia, due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, likely has the most significant interest in influencing the election results in its favor, although it is also monitoring other potential foreign actors.

Foreign influences might aim to support particular candidates or parties, discredit opponents, or undermine the democratic process itself, the BfV noted. Germany, a key financial and military supporter of Ukraine since the onset of Russia's invasion, has faced increasing hostility from the Kremlin, which has escalated following Germany's support for Ukraine.

Recent incidents, including parcel explosions at logistics hubs in Europe, are believed to be part of a broader Russian plan to trigger explosions on cargo flights to the US. The BfV warned that acts of sabotage could have a damaging physical impact, but could also influence voters psychologically, affecting both public opinion and political decision-making.

In addition, the BfV raised concerns about disinformation campaigns, particularly Russia’s efforts to spread pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives aimed at dividing German society and weakening support for Ukraine. Cyberattacks, especially hack-and-leak operations and the use of AI-generated deepfake videos to mislead voters, are also being closely monitored.

Support for Russia-friendly parties, such as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, has been rising, especially following their success in the September elections in eastern Germany. Allegations have also surfaced, including claims that a senior AfD member received funds from a pro-Russian media outlet, though he has denied the accusations.

In related news, Romanian officials recently discussed the possibility of rerunning the first round of their presidential election after an independent far-right candidate unexpectedly won, leading to suspicions of electoral interference.

By Vafa Guliyeva