London [UK], Nov. 9 : German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday Russia could try to influence Berlin's general elections next year through cyber-attacks or disinformation campaigns.
This comes after Washington accused the Kremlin of similar meddling in the US vote, reports the Guardian.
"We are already, even now, having to deal with information out of Russia or with internet attacks that are of Russian origin or with news which sows false information," the German chancellor said at a press conference alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
Her comments came in response to a question about whether Germany could experience the type of cyber-attacks that have plagued the White House race, specifically targeting Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Dealing with that was already "a daily task", she told reporters in Berlin. "So it may be that this could also play a role during the election campaign." Last month, the United States accused the Russian Government of trying to "interfere" in the election by hacking US political institutions, charges the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed.
Germany's domestic secret service accused Russia earlier this year of a series of international cyber-spying and sabotage attacks, including a case in which the German lower house of parliament was targeted last year.
Germany is scheduled to go to polls in September 2017. Merkel has yet to announce her candidacy but is widely expected to run for a fourth term..
Source: ANI
