Feeling of security: war and division: Brandenburgers feel more insecure

According to a survey, more and more citizens in Brandenburg are increasingly concerned about their safety. A total of 81 percent felt more unsafe than they did five years ago. This is one of the results of the Brandenburg Monitor based on a representative Forsa survey. Only three percent felt safer compared to 2021.

Above all, many people are concerned about war. 45 percent of those surveyed were worried about such external threats. These include the global political situation, German security policy and the Bundeswehr's lack of defense capability. Some of those surveyed are also concerned about a possible threat to democracy. These include “extremism and radicalization” and “social division and brutalization”.

The vast majority of people in Brandenburg seem to know that democracy and freedom must be defended, said State Chancellor Kathrin Schneider, referring to the survey.

At the same time, around two thirds of those surveyed support the expansion of Bundeswehr locations in Brandenburg. Two thirds were also in favor of companies from the security and defense industry locating in Brandenburg. For 35 percent of those in favor of expanding the Bundeswehr locations, the primary reason for strengthening defense capabilities, while 16 percent also saw it as an economic stimulus.

For 21 percent of those opposed to the expansion, the increased risk of war due to rearmament spoke against the expansion. 21 percent said that the money might be missing elsewhere. A total of 1,088 people from Brandenburg were surveyed by the Society for Social Research and Statistical Analyzes (Forsa) as part of a representative online survey from July 31 to August 28, 2026. This time the main topic was security, resilience and crisis preparedness.