German spy chief warns of Russian threat to local polls

"Elections in Moldova and Romania are recent examples, and we expect more hybrid campaigns throughout this election year in Germany,"

"Deterrence is not working yet,"

"This raises the question, do we simply want to continue to observe and record these developments, or have we reached a point where we must take action -- counter-measures?"

Germany's foreign intelligence agency assesses that Russia plans to target regional elections with hybrid attacks combining sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation. Five German states hold elections this year, and the far-right AfD has been surging in polls and is perceived as Moscow-friendly. Germany has experienced an increasing number of sabotage plots and cyberattacks and attributes disinformation campaigns to Russia, which denies the allegations. Current deterrence efforts are judged ineffective, prompting calls to consider counter-measures. Proposals under consideration would expand intelligence powers to permit offensive sabotage and cyber operations under national security frameworks.

Read at The Local Germany