Only 17% of Germans willing to take up arms to defend their country, poll finds

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Only 17% of Germans are determined to take up arms to defend their country in the event of a military attack, a new poll revealed on Wednesday.

The poll, commissioned by the Stern weekly, has found that a majority of Germans were not prepared for defending their country with weapons in a potential armed conflict.

Some 61% of those surveyed said they were “unlikely” or “definitely not” to enlist and take up arms, even if their country is attacked by a foreign power.

As many as 19% said they would “probably” take part in the armed struggle against the occupying forces.

The figures were in stark contrast to the German government’s efforts to build public support for a more ambitious defense policy agenda.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government abandoned the country’s cautious defense policy after Russia's war on Ukraine, and announced an ambitious procurement plan to modernize its armed forces.

Last week, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany has “about five to eight years” to be “fit for war” again, and deter threats to Europe.