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Germans overwhelmingly for tougher security

The Local Germany
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Germans overwhelmingly for tougher security
Heightened security at Augsburg Christmas market. Photo: DPA

More than nine in every ten Germans support the government increasing security measures on German streets in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

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The regular Deutschlandtrend poll by broadcaster ARD showed that 91 percent of Germans support "appropriate security measures" such as the heavier police presence and security checks which were announced in the immediate aftermath of last Friday's Paris terrorist attacks.

At the same time only five percent of those questioned were afraid that such security measures could impinge on their constitutional rights.

This attitude is present in every section of society and is not dependent on party allegiance, the survey found.

The government is also split on whether to increase security measures in Germany. Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, of Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union, has proposed putting soldiers on the streets to support the police.

But justice minister Heiko Maas has rejected the notion that Germany needs stronger security laws.

Far more controversial among the German public is the idea that the Bundeswehr (German army) could participate in combat operations against Isis.

A total of 52 percent of respondent voiced opposition to this proposal, while 41 percent were for it.

Answers to this question were highly dependent on party allegiance. While 49 percent of supporters of the right wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) were for a military operation, only 28 percent of Die Linke's (Left Party) voters were in favour.

SEE ALSO: Bundesliga goes ahead under tighter security

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