Foreign Interference: German Election Campaign Plagued by Fake News and Videos

German authorities are warning of a substantial increase in disinformation ahead of the European elections in June, with much of the content appearing to originate from Russia. Security officials have observed a troubling surge in manipulated videos, doctored images, and fabricated news stories targeting German politicians and the electoral process.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has identified what appears to be a coordinated campaign to undermine democratic processes in Germany through digital manipulation. According to intelligence sources, these efforts closely resemble tactics previously attributed to Russian-backed influence operations in other Western democracies.

“We’re seeing sophisticated attempts to sway public opinion and create division through deliberately misleading content,” said Thomas Haldenwang, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, during a recent security briefing in Berlin. “The scale and sophistication of these efforts has increased dramatically compared to previous election cycles.”

The disinformation campaign employs deepfake technology to create convincing but entirely fabricated videos of German politicians making controversial statements. In one instance, a manipulated video showed Chancellor Olaf Scholz appearing to make disparaging comments about NATO allies, which quickly spread across social media platforms before being identified as fraudulent.

Security experts have also documented an increase in false narratives being propagated through networks of inauthentic social media accounts. These accounts, many using stolen or AI-generated profile images, amplify divisive content and create the illusion of grassroots movements opposing German support for Ukraine or criticizing EU immigration policies.

The timing of this disinformation surge coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western nations over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Germany, as Europe’s largest economy and a key supporter of Ukraine, appears to be a primary target for these influence operations.

“This is not coincidental,” explained Dr. Claudia Wagner, a researcher at the Institute for Internet Security in Cologne. “Germany’s pivotal role in European politics and its support for Ukraine make it a strategic target. The goal is to weaken public trust in democratic institutions and create political polarization ahead of crucial elections.”

Social media platforms including Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube have implemented additional safeguards for the European election period, but the volume and sophistication of misleading content continue to pose significant challenges. German officials have called for more aggressive content moderation and greater transparency around political advertisements.

The German government has launched a public awareness campaign to help voters identify potential disinformation. The initiative includes educational materials on recognizing manipulated media and encourages citizens to verify information through multiple reliable sources before sharing content online.

Media literacy experts emphasize that the threat extends beyond the immediate election. “These campaigns aim to erode trust in legitimate sources of information and democratic processes over the long term,” said Markus Reuter, director of the Digital Democracy Institute in Hamburg. “Even when specific false claims are debunked, the cumulative effect of repeated exposure to disinformation can damage public discourse.”

German intelligence services are working closely with European partners and NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence to track and counter disinformation networks. This international cooperation has become increasingly important as influence operations frequently target multiple countries simultaneously using shared resources and coordinated messaging.

Political parties across the spectrum have been affected by the disinformation campaign, though content targeting parties supporting strong Ukraine policies appears to be more prevalent. Security officials have briefed all major political parties on protective measures and rapid response protocols for when their candidates are targeted.

As the June election approaches, authorities are urging heightened vigilance among media organizations, social platforms, and the public. The Federal Office for Information Security has established a special task force to provide technical assistance in identifying manipulated media and tracing the origins of disinformation networks.

“This is a challenge to our democratic process that requires a whole-of-society response,” Haldenwang emphasized. “Protecting the integrity of our elections is not just a matter for security services, but a responsibility shared by platforms, media organizations, political institutions, and individual citizens.”