Russian cyber-attacks could influence German election, says Merkel

Chancellor says Germany having to deal with cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns on daily basis

Angela Merkel has said Russia could try to influence Germany's general elections next year through cyber-attacks or disinformation campaigns, after Washington accused the Kremlin of similar meddling in the US vote.

"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 the Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, on Tuesday. 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."