The Berlin Pulse - German Foreign Policy 2024

The study on German foreign policy in 2024, part of the annual “The Berlin Pulse” series, was conducted by Verian on behalf of the Körber Foundation. During the survey period from September 11, 2024, to September 20, 2024, eligible voters in Germany were interviewed by telephone (CATI) on the following topics: the greatest challenges for German foreign policy, Germany´s most important partner, transatlantic relations, China´s growing influence, potential threats to German security and the German economy, defense spending, the role of Germany and the EU in various conflicts (war between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas). Respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sample including landline and mobile phone numbers (dual-frame sample). Opinion on Germany´s future involvement in international crises (more involvement vs. continuing to be rather cautious); preferred type of greater German involvement (military, diplomatic, or financial); current biggest challenges for German foreign policy (open question, coded answers, max. three responses); currently most important partner country for German foreign policy; Opinion on Germany´s military leadership role in Europe alongside its economic leadership role; assessment of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius´s demand for an increase to 3 to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product for defense; willingness to agree to financial cuts so that Germany can spend more money on defense; impact of the AfD´s growing support in elections and polls on Germany´s reputation in the world (improved, worsened, no impact); assessment of current relations between Germany and the US; the US as Germany´s partner on the following issues: climate protection, dealing with China, promoting free trade, dealing with the war in Ukraine, dealing with the war between Israel and Hamas; assessment of China´s growing global influence; German companies should reduce their dependence on China for political reasons; assessment of the potential threat to the German economy posed by China and the US; opinion on Germany´s military support for the following countries: Ukraine in the war against Russia, Taiwan in the conflict with China, Israel in the war with Hamas; assessment of the potential military threat to Germany´s security posed by China, Russia, and Iran; impact of the deployment of US medium-range weapons in Germany from 2026 on the risk of war with Russia; preferred course of action for Ukraine in the war with Russia (continue fighting until its territory has been completely recaptured from Russia, cede parts of its territory to Russia in order to bring about an end to the war); assessment of the European Union´s influence in the world; Europe should play a major, minor, or no role in the diplomatic resolution of the conflict between Israel and Hamas; agreement with statements on Germany´s behavior in relation to the war between Israel and Hamas (Germany should act as a mediator between the two parties to the conflict, provide humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip, support Israel militarily in the war against Hamas, stay out of the conflict, or not interfere); preferred response of the European Union to the significant increase in the number of asylum applications in EU countries in 2023 (stricter border controls at the EU´s external borders, expansion of legal migration routes, improvement of economic prospects in countries of origin, stricter repatriation measures for rejected asylum seekers, greater support for the integration of recognized asylum seekers); party preference in the federal election (Sunday question). Demography: sex; age; occupation; education; net household income. Additional variables coded: respondent ID; federal state; region (west/east); political municipality size class; weighting factor.