The Berlin Pulse - German Foreign Policy 2020

The study on German foreign policy, part of the annual “The Berlin Pulse” series, was conducted by Kantar on behalf of the Körber Foundation. During the survey period from September 10, 2020, to September 17, 2020, 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, the democratic ranking of various countries, transatlantic relations, China´s growing influence, and the challenges associated with this. Respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sample including landline and mobile phone numbers (dual-frame sample). Germany should become more involved in international crises vs. continue to remain rather reserved; current biggest challenges for German foreign policy (open question, coded answers, max. three responses); currently most important partner country for German foreign policy; democracy ranking of selected countries (Germany, USA, Poland, Great Britain, France, China, Russia); assessment of current relations between Germany and the US; more important for Germany: close relations with the US, close relations with Russia, equally close relations with both; more important for Germany: close relations with the US, close relations with China, equally close relations with both; US as Germany´s partner on the following issues: climate protection, dealing with China, preventing Iran from building nuclear weapons, guaranteeing free trade in the world, protecting and defending Europe, e.g. within the framework of NATO, protecting democracy and human rights in the world); stronger influence on one´s own view of the US (US domestic policy, US foreign policy, neither/both equally strong); aspects of US domestic policy that particularly influence one´s own view of the US; assessment of China´s growing global influence; likelihood of the existing conflict between China and the US escalating into a Cold War; Germany´s preferred position in the event of a Cold War between China and the US (support the US, support China, or remain neutral); opinion on a ban on investment in German infrastructure for non-democratic states such as China or Russia; democratic states vs. non-democratic states better suited to mastering international challenges; effects of the coronavirus pandemic on cohesion in the EU (weakened or strengthened); expectations for the post-coronavirus crisis period (states will focus more on national issues vs. cooperate more closely, or everything will be as before) ; party preference in the federal election (Sunday question). Demography: Sex; age; education; respondent themselves or their parents or grandparents immigrated to Germany after 1949. The following were also coded: respondent ID; federal state; region (west/east); political municipality size class; weighting factor.