Germany’s domestic intelligence agency expects new cyber attacks targeting politicians and government officials ahead of federal elections.

Hans-Georg Maassen, head of the BfV agency, said spies are keeping a “very close watch” on threats as the country gears up for September’s vote.

“We expect further attacks, and we are keeping a very close watch on the threats,” Mr Maassen told a cyber security conference in Potsdam.

“We are finding increasingly aggressive cyber espionage.”

He said his agency had detected and foiled repeated email phishing attacks directed at Angela Merkel’s conservative CDU/CSU party, and other attempts targeting politicians and institutions.

The Chancellor is bidding for a fourth term in office amid record levels of politically-motivated crime in Germany, where tensions over the refugee crisis, immigration and a string of Isis-linked terror attacks are running high.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence service, Hans-Georg Maassen, takes part in the Potsdam Conference on National Cybersecurity on 4 May (EPA)

“Large amounts of data” were seized during a previous attack on the Bundestag in May 2015, which was blamed on Russian hacking group APT28, and there are fears the information could now be used to influence the vote.

Mr Maassen also warned of a “disinformation” campaign, citing false stories on the rape of a German-Russian girl called Lisa that were spread by Russian media alongside several other prominent incidents of “fake news”.

He also highlighted emails sent to Lithuanian authorities accusing German soldiers deployed to the country of rape, which sparked an investigation finding the alleged incident did not take place.

The email address where they originated disappeared and authorities were attempting to track the culprit through their IP address.

Mr Maassen claimed it would ultimately be up the Kremlin to decide whether cyber attacks would continue, saying German officials were on high alert given recent assaults on the US military by Russian hackers and reports by American intelligence officials on interference in the Presidential election.

“Our counterpart [in Russia] is trying to generate information that can be used for disinformation or for influence operations,” he said.

“Whether they do it or not is a political decision...that I assume will be made in the Kremlin.”

Bruno Kahl, head of Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency, said there was increasing evidence that a “state actor stands behind cyber attacks”, adding: “For such attacks, state resources are needed.”

Hillary Clinton: Vladimir Putin helped 'influence' the election

Attempts have increased over recent months, he added, calling for intensified cooperation between international intelligence agencies.

Mr Kahl first warned that Germany’s upcoming federal elections could be the target of “disruption” in November, adding: “The perpetrators have an interest in delegitimising the democratic process as such – whomever that later helps.

“I have the impression that the outcome of the American election isn't causing mourning in Russia so far.”

The allegations are among several issues driving worsening relations between Russia and the West, as well as the wars in Syria and Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin dismissed accusations of aiding Mr Trump’s campaign as unproven “rumours” used for internal politics during a tense press conference with Ms Merkel on Tuesday.

“We never interfere in other countries’ politics and we want no one to meddle in ours,” the Russian President said in response to a question from a German journalist.

“Unfortunately, we have seen the opposite happening for years. We have seen attempts to influence political processes in Russia through the so-called NGOs and directly.

“Realising the futility of such efforts, it has never occurred to us to interfere.”

French Presidential Election Show all 20 1 /20 French Presidential Election French Presidential Election Voters line up to cast their ballots REUTERS French Presidential Election French expats queue along the street outside the Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle to cast their vote in a polling station inside the school, in the first round of the 2017 French presidential election, in London, Britain April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor - RTS13JM5 REUTERS French Presidential Election People line up to vote in the first round of 2017 French presidential election at a polling station in Vaulx-en-Velin near Lyon, France, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Emmanuel Foudrot - RTS13HSP REUTERS French Presidential Election Police patrol polling stations in France REUTERS French Presidential Election Francois Fillon (L), member of the Republicans political party and 2017 French presidential election candidate of the French centre-right, casts his vote in the first round of 2017 French presidential election in Paris, France, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Christophe Archambault/Pool - RTS13IH0 REUTERS French Presidential Election Benoit Hamon (C), French Socialist party 2017 presidential candidate, is surrounded by photographers as he leaves a polling station after voting in the first round of 2017 French presidential election in Trappes, near Paris, France, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler - RTS13I0Y REUTERS French Presidential Election French President Francois Hollande collects voting slips before casting his ballot in the first round of the 2017 French presidential election at a polling station in Tulle, France, on April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Georges Gobet/Pool - RTS13ITO REUTERS French Presidential Election A policeman walks by election posters near a polling station during the first round of 2017 French presidential election in Paris, France, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann - RTS13I3A REUTERS French Presidential Election Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Trogneux REUTERS French Presidential Election Emmanuel Macron casts his ballot REUTERS French Presidential Election Emmanuel Macron, head of the political movement En Marche !, or Onwards !, and candidate for the 2017 French presidential election, waves hand during in the first round of 2017 French presidential election at a polling station in Le Touquet, northern France, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier - RTS13ICH SAA/ French Presidential Election Jean-Luc Melenchon, candidate of the French far-left Parti de Gauche and candidate for the French 2017 presidential election, leaves a polling booth in the first round of 2017 French presidential election at a polling station in Paris, France, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe - RTS13IKB REUTERS French Presidential Election Front National leader Marine Le Pen casts her ballot Marine Le Pen (L), French National Front (FN) political party leader and candidate for French 2017 presidential election, casts her ballot in the first round of 2017 French presidential election at a polling station in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, April 23, 2017. At R, Mayor of Henin-Beaumont Steeve Briois. REUTERS/Charles Platiau - RTS13IEI REUTERS French Presidential Election Early ballots are read as results continue to come in Reuters French Presidential Election Macron supporters react as results come in early in the evening AP French Presidential Election Supporters of Front National leader Marine Le Pen cheer as early results come in Reuters French Presidential Election Alamy Live News. J21KYW Paris, France. 23rd April 2017. Marcon supporters wave French and EU flags after the announcement that he is the leader in the exit polls after the polling stations have been closed. Supporters of Emmanuel Macron, the Presidential candidate from the social liberal political party En Marche! celebrate the exit polls, that see him in first place, ahead of Marine Le Pen from the Front National in the first round of the French Presidential election. Credit: Michael Debets/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. Alamy French Presidential Election Front National leader Marine Le Pen takes to the stage to address her supporters as fans cheer Reuters French Presidential Election Emmanuel Macron greets supporters on Sunday night AP French Presidential Election Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Trogneux celebrate the incoming results EPA

There is also concern over potential meddling in the French presidential election, where Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen will face off in the final vote on Sunday.

Mr Macron has launched legal action over “fake news” stories brought up by his adversary in a television debate that falsely claim he has an offshore bank account in the Bahamas.

The Paris’ prosecutor’s office said no one was named in Mr Macron’s complaint, which has triggered an inquiry into the suspected spread of false stories aimed at influencing the election.

Theresa May has also accused foreign powers of attempting to influence the UK’s snap general election, although her allegations were levelled at the EU itself.

“Britain's negotiating position in Europe has been misrepresented in the continental press,” the Prime Minister said, in a reference to a German newspaper's account of her dinner with the EU Commission chief.

"The European Commission's negotiating stance has hardened. Threats against Britain have been issued by European politicians and officials.

"All of these acts have been deliberately timed to affect the result of the general election that will take place on 8 June."

The European Commission hit back at the claims, with a spokesperson saying it was “too busy” with policy work to make such an attempt.