Putin had said that his threat was “not a bluff”. But a narrow majority of Germans do not believe that he will use nuclear weapons. At the same time, more than half of Germans assume that the war will spread to other parts of Europe.
A slim majority of Germans does not believe that Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin would carry out his threat to use nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. In the trend barometer of the opinion research institute Forsa, 54 percent of Germans say that Putin would ultimately not do that. 41 percent think it’s possible.
In East Germany, 43 percent say Putin would carry out his threat, in West Germany the figure is 41 percent. In the east, 46 percent and in the west 55 percent said that ultimately he would not do this.
Putin justified the threat of nuclear weapons by saying that the West was considering attacking Russia with nuclear weapons. “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will absolutely use all available means to protect Russia and our people.”
At the same time, more than half of the Germans assume that after the mobilization in Russia and the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, the danger has increased that the war in Ukraine will spread to other parts of Europe or that a third world war is even possible is. 55 percent of respondents believe this, while 42 percent do not believe it.
The extent to which the extent and type of arms deliveries from Germany to Ukraine should change after mobilization differs among the population of the Federal Republic of Germany. Roughly the same number of respondents believe that more heavy weapons such as battle tanks must now be delivered to Ukraine (29 percent), that weapons should be delivered to a similar extent as before (33 percent) or that no weapons should be delivered to Ukraine at all ( 31 percent).
Supporters of the Greens (46 percent) and the CDU/CSU (38 percent) advocate the delivery of heavy weapons such as battle tanks as a reaction to the mobilization of the reservists and Putin’s threats.
Only a small minority of Germans agree that the so-called gas levy should be levied as originally planned from October 1st, although nationalization of the energy companies that have gotten into difficulties because of the Russian gas supply stop is planned. An overwhelming majority, on the other hand, is of the opinion that the gas levy should be abolished, as is also planned. However, a relatively large number of those questioned cannot express an opinion on this because – as earlier studies on the gas levy have shown – they cannot understand the purpose of this levy.
14 percent of Germans say that the gas surcharge should be raised. 72 percent say it should be abolished. 14 percent answer a corresponding question with “don’t know”. Both in East and West Germany as well as among the supporters of all parties, there are clear majorities for the abolition of the gas levy.
Less than 40 percent of all respondents say that rising prices for energy and other necessities and commodities will not cause them too much trouble. The majority, however, can only pay the higher prices through strict savings in other areas or not at all.
7 percent say they cannot afford the rising prices at all. 52 percent can only do this through restrictions in other areas. 38 percent have no major difficulties with the rising prices.
The data was collected by the market and opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany on September 23 and 26, 2022. Database: 1003 respondents. Statistical error tolerance: /- 3 percentage points.
More information about Forsa here.Forsa surveys commissioned by RTL Germany.
