Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) warns of a high risk of Russian interference in the upcoming state elections in 2026.
According to the BfV’s internal assessment, “given the increasing Russian hybrid attacks against European democracies, corresponding activity should also be expected in the context of state elections.” The agency emphasizes that the primary threat emanates from the Russian Federation.
“Russia’s hybrid actions include disinformation, cyberattacks, sabotage, and influence operations,” the document notes. If interference occurs, it will likely be aimed at supporting politicians and parties that promote the Kremlin’s official positions or disseminate narratives favorable to the Russian government. At the same time, forces taking opposing positions, particularly those actively supporting Ukraine could be discredited.
The BfV places particular emphasis on attempts to undermine trust in democratic institutions, particularly in the areas of internal security and migration policy. Contestations of the integrity of the electoral process and doubts about the legitimacy of the announced results cannot be ruled out.
In 2026, Germany will hold five important state elections:
March – Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate
September – Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
The first vote in Baden-Württemberg is just around the corner, making the warning particularly relevant.
The agency emphasizes that the threat of “illegal foreign influence and information manipulation” is taken extremely seriously. Similar concerns have been raised previously, particularly ahead of the 2025 Bundestag snap elections, when elements of the Russian “Storm 1516” campaign were detected.
The BfV’s assessment does not yet name specific parties or politicians that may be targeted or supported. However, experts note that such operations typically aim to increase social polarization and weaken support for Ukraine in German society.