• Germany edition
Society
Photo: DPA

Germans trust political parties least, police most

Published: 7 Feb 13 12:34 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20130207-47825.html

Germans overwhelmingly trust the police and judicial authorities, while distrusting large corporations and political parties, a new study suggests.

Trust has declined slightly over the past year for all institutions apart from the government, which has experienced a five-point increase, the Global Trust Report conducted by the non-profit market research group GfK.

The percentage of Germans who trust the police remained solid at 81 percent at the start of this year, compared with 85 percent 12 months ago. The judicial system came next with 65 percent of people expressing trust, and then public administration and the military followed, with 58 and 57 percent trust respectively.

The least trusted institutions were political parties on 16 percent, and corporations with 26 percent.

The results seem to confirm other studies which suggest Chancellor Angela Merkel is her party and government's greatest asset, Raimund Wildner, GfK manager told Die Welt newspaper.

He said the five percentage point increase in trust shown in the government was due to the positive impression people have of Merkel's handling of the euro crisis.

Looking in more detail, the study showed the most trust was invoked by the most traditional - with craftsmen enjoying the complete trust of 87 percent of those questioned. After them came manufacturers of domestic appliances with 78 percent, and car makers with 71 percent.

Banks came off particularly badly, with a loss of seven percentage points over the last year putting them down to 29 percent. "Not even one in three citizens trusts this branch," said Wildner. He suggested, "the recent scandals are taking effect, from interest rate manipulation to raids on suspicion of aiding tax evasion."

The Local/hc

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

13:28 February 7, 2013 by grazhdanin
which crisis?
13:29 February 7, 2013 by pepsionice
As an American who lived for years in Germany....I'd personally vouch for their cops. When they say you did something wrong....it's a 98-percent chance they are right. It's a chosen profession, and they spend actual class-time learning how to apply the law. And if you were stupid enough to challenge them....they absolutely will apply physical force of an extreme nature on you. I've seen drunks who were laid quickly down on asphalt....when necessary.
14:51 February 7, 2013 by mitanni
Germany's civil servants are generally very professional and stick precisely to the law. That's a two edged sword, though, because it is those untrusted politicians who tell them what to do...
16:05 February 7, 2013 by twisted
As an long ago ex-police officer in the US, it is nice to know that the police are trusted here. As for politicians, no surprise there...hell, they're not trusted anywhere. And bankers...they are legitimate thieves (because of the politicans who are in their pockets).
20:04 February 7, 2013 by Bigfoot76
See "Justice minister brushes off drink-driving offence" Enough said.
21:08 February 7, 2013 by raandy
I never really trust the police,

first rule of law.... All police lie and all Judges believe them.
06:59 February 8, 2013 by RainerL
Hmmmm? Seems like a World wide trend not trusting Pollies.. What's New?
10:38 February 8, 2013 by belladons
Politicians are classified as the legal mafia. I will always trust a police officer before I will ever trust a dirt bag politician. In fact, when talking to a politician, listen very closely.
13:23 February 8, 2013 by Englishted
The judicial system in Germany is a complete dogs dinner ,the law of the land is applied differently in different states ,that plus giving lawyers the choice of which court to have a trial because they know which court normal rules which way.

For example a ruling on the law was given at the Supreme Court in Karlsruhe has been completely ignored by courts in Hamburg and München (Parents not liable if kids download illegally)

Published: 16 Nov 12 07:47 in The Local.

The people who agreed with this in the poll must have had no experience of a better system because as I have said this one is rubbish as it is inconsistent.
21:29 February 9, 2013 by raandy
After reading about the Munich girl with the broken nose and eye damage after being punched by German police while her hands were hand cuffed behind her back for asking for help from an abusive boyfriend , leaves me no doubt about how un professional the Munich police are.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Neo-Nazi Terror Trial
Photo: DPA

NSU known as neo-Nazi 'terror cell' before killings

German intelligence services had identified neo-Nazi gang the National Socialist Underground (NSU) as a “terror cell” months before members killed their first victim in 2000, a secret document condemning the state's inaction has revealed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Police raid suspected leftist extremists

Police on Wednesday carried out raids across several German states at more than 20 properties, which they believe are connected to a network of leftist extremists responsible for carrying out attacks over more than a decade. READ () »

German of the Week
Photo: DPA

'I hate Wagner but I hate him on my knees'

Germany is celebrating the 200th anniversary or the birth of Richard Wagner on Wednesday. Probably the country's most revered and reviled composer, the man considered an anti-Semitic musical genius is The Local's German of the Week. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Rösler wants dual citizenship for IT talent

German Economy Minister Philipp Rösler appealed to top US university students this week to consider Germany as the place to start their IT careers and called for tech entrepreneurs to be offered dual citizenship. READ () »

Social Democrats seek revival on 150th b-day

Social Democrats seek revival on 150th b-day

Germany's Social Democrats, trailing behind the conservatives in the polls just months ahead of the elections, are looking to relaunch themselves as they celebrate their 150th anniversary later this week. READ () »

The Local’s movie listings
New in German cinemas: 'Fast & Furious 6'

New in German cinemas: 'Fast & Furious 6'

Find movies playing in English in Germany with The Local’s cinema guide. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Germans bathe easy in clear waters

German outdoor swimming spots are cleaner than ever, results from a European Commission survey showed on Tuesday. On the whole, the EU's water quality has, it said, significantly improved. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Justin Bieber's monkey becomes 'German'

Justin Bieber's pet monkey, which was seized by German customs in March, officially became German property this week after the Canadian pop star failed to claim the animal, officials said. READ () »

More Society
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
Highlights
Photo: Private
LIFESTYLE »
In the latest installment of My German Career, The Local spoke with New Zealander physicist Graham Appleby about life in Germany's scientific community.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
20,000 Goths gather in Leipzig
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Harmless pink fun or a bad influence on young girls? A life-size Barbie dream house attraction opened in Berlin to protests including a topless woman burning a doll in effigy.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act. Our German of the Week is Tina K., who, after her brother was beaten to death, has been campaigning for an end to street violence in Berlin.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local List: Ten German words with double meanings
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Conflict is part of the fabric of Berlin, but the city's "Peacemaker" soothes things over. Jessica Ware tracked him down for a chat.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
It might be politically toxic, but it's time to hit the brakes on Germany's reckless driving culture, argues The Local's Ben Knight.
Photo: M&S
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Move over Berlin: why London is Germany's new fashion capital
Photo: Private
OPINION »
For this edition of My German Career, former US military man turned armed guard Keith Alban talks about leaving home in search of a better quality of life.
Photo: Katie Needs
SOCIETY »
Offseason, Germany's largest island Rügen might not top many peoples' list of dream holidays. But as The Local discovered, its quiet beauty makes it worth a trip to escape city bustle.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Confused about the hundreds of euros missing from your pay packet? Don't panic - the latest in The Local's JobTalk series looks at German social security payments.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Is that your Handy ringing? This week's Local List takes a look at 12 misused English words in German.
Photo: A Peoples' Picture
LIFESTYLE »
An American is stirring up creative spontaneity in Dresden by leaving disposable cameras around for strangers' use, before collecting them and displaying the results online.
Photo: Private
LIFESTYLE »
After it was revealed that Angela Merkel had a Polish grandfather, Matthew Luxmoore set out to find where she could connect to her roots in Berlin's sizable Polish community.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Why isn't everyone wearing Lederhosen? It's easy for foreigners to stereotype Germany, but this week's Local List is dedicated to debunking common myths.
Photo: Private
OPINION »
The last time Si Liberman saw Berlin, he was thousands of feet in the air on a US bombing raid over Nazi Germany. Nearly seven decades later, he returned to the city.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
What are the hidden rules of etiquette foreigners need to watch out for while doing business in Germany? The Local's JobTalk series has tips for keeping on the right side of your colleagues.
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
All of The Local's 'Germans of the Week' so far
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
Every town and city from The Local's My Germany series
Furniture Leasing Corporation
SPONSORED ARTICLE
The furniture-free way to relocate to Germany
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Top five reasons to enrol on an Executive MBA



Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

873 jobs available
669 new jobs this week
117 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.