Advertisement

Germans unhappy with how democracy works

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Germans unhappy with how democracy works
Photo: DPA

An overwhelming majority of Germans support democracy, but many are highly critical of how their own form of government works, according to a new survey.

Advertisement

Released this week by Forsa and the Free University of Berlin, the study showed 86 percent said democracy was the best existing form of government.

“However, only a minority approves of the daily democratic process,” said study author Prof. Oskar Niedermayer.

Only 39 percent said they were “wholly satisfied” with democracy, but there was a geographical divide – 42 percent of western Germans agreed with that statement, but in formerly communist eastern Germany only 28 percent did.

Around half of the 6,000 people surveyed criticized the effectiveness of their political system and politicians.

But only a tiny number were truly opposed to democracy in general. “Only a minority of four percent can be considered zealous anti-democratic rejecting democracy as a form of government,” Niedermayer said.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also