Majority of Germans Reportedly Unwilling to Fight If Country Attacked

A recent survey reveals that nearly 60% of Germans would probably not defend their country with arms if attacked, posing a significant challenge to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius's efforts to expand and rearm the Bundeswehr. Only 16% said they would definitely fight, and 22% said they probably would, with reluctance notably higher among women at 72%. Despite the strategic shift in Germany's defense policy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and plans to increase the army's size significantly by 2035, longstanding cultural and historical factors continue to hinder military recruitment. The government is considering measures like compulsory questionnaires and health screenings for 18-year-old men to boost recruitment. Additionally, over a quarter of respondents believe a military attack on Germany is likely within the next five years, and nearly 60% think Germany will have to support a NATO ally militarily during that period. These findings underscore the tension between Germany's defense ambitions and public willingness to engage in armed conflict.