German task force to tackle foreign meddling before election

A view shows the mostly empty hall of the German lower house of parliament, Bundestag, before a vote, in Berlin, Germany, November 6, 2024. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's domestic intelligence agency (BfV) has set up a task force to head off any foreign state attempts to influence the upcoming federal election after last month warning of increased Russian-sponsored espionage and sabotage.

It said possible attempts at disinformation, cyberattack, spying or sabotage could be made ahead of the snap vote set for Feb. 23 after the collapse earlier this month of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's fractious three-way coalition.