A survey of 2,500 people conducted by the University of Leipzig has revealed that Germans are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with democracy. According to the Leipzig Authoritarianism Study, only one third of Germans are satisfied with the state of their democracy. This represents the lowest point since the study began in 2022 and a significant decline from 2024, when 42.3 percent of respondents reported being satisfied.
Declining Satisfaction.
Former East German states were the least content with German democracy, with 22.8 percent of respondents being satisfied. This represents a decline from the previously recorded 29.7 percent. Former West Germans were somewhat more optimistic, with 36 percent being satisfied with democracy.
The report also revealed that 23.2 percent of Germans, including 30.9 percent of East Germans and 21.2 percent of West Germans, want a single-party state tasked with representing the entire nation.
Enduring Democratic Ideals.
The report also showed that 89.3 percent of Germans support the idea of democracy, including 85.7 percent of East Germans. This nevertheless constitutes the first time that support for democracy has fallen below 90 percent.
Satisfaction with constitutional democracy in particular was lower but still significant. Specifically, 65.2 percent of Germans supported constitutional democracy, including 59.8 percent of East Germans, although this represents a decline from the approximately 80 percent recorded in 2024.
As such, growing German dissatisfaction with democracy may indicate declining faith in the process and available parties, rather than a widespread appetite for authoritarian leadership.
Causes of Dissatisfaction.
The report suggests that one of the key drivers of declining satisfaction with democracy in Germany is “political deprivation,” which is measured by agreement with statements such as “People like me have no influence on what the government does anyway” and “I think it’s pointless to get involved in politics.”
Specifically, the survey indicates that 58.6 percent of Germans experience political deprivation, including 57.3 percent of West Germans and 63.4 percent of East Germans.
The report also revealed that 33.5 percent of Germans, including roughly 40 percent of East Germans, believe they were more respected in the past, indicating a sense of national decline.
