Germany: Rising Support for Authoritarian Ideas Amidst Discontent

Rising Authoritarian Sentiments in Germany Amidst Growing Discontent

Germany is undergoing a political shift, marked by increasing unease and skepticism among its citizens – particularly in structurally weak regions of the East. A recent survey reveals a growing openness to authoritarian ideas nationwide, according to the 2026 Deutschland-Monitor.

The economic crisis, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and a widespread perception of global instability are forcing the German government to adapt. While most Germans are fundamentally open to change, unequal living conditions are contributing to a decline in trust in democratic institutions. This is the central finding of the 2025 Deutschland-Monitor.

The survey, which polled approximately 8,000 people, indicates that a significant portion of the population is receptive to ideas traditionally considered outside the mainstream. Around 25% of East Germans, and 20% nationwide, express openness to authoritarian concepts. This manifests in support for proposals such as a single strong party to represent the people’s will, and a strong leader unconstrained by parliamentary oversight.

Specifically, nearly two percent of respondents fully agreed with the following statements: “Under certain circumstances, a dictatorship is the better form of government,” “Decisions should be made by a political leader without regard for parliament,” and “Germany needs a single strong party to represent the will of the people.” An additional 21 percent indicated some level of agreement. In East Germany, full agreement with these statements rises to 35 percent, with another 26 percent expressing partial agreement. In West Germany, full agreement is at 30 percent, with 23 percent responding with partial agreement.

General Satisfaction with Democracy Declining

While 98 percent of those surveyed support the “idea of democracy” and 89 percent outright reject dictatorship, only 60 percent express satisfaction with how democracy is currently functioning. This figure drops to 51 percent in East Germany, although it represents an 8 percentage point increase compared to the 2023 survey. 71 percent believe that democracy in Germany is in decline.

Elisabeth Kaiser, the Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, noted that the Deutschland-Monitor demonstrates a general level of satisfaction with democracy. However, she also pointed out that those who have experienced negative change in the past tend to be more skeptical about the future and the democratic process, especially in regions that feel left behind.

Authoritarian Ideas Finding Resonance

The Deutschland-Monitor reveals that indirect questions designed to gauge underlying sentiments suggest a “grey area” where authoritarian ideas are gaining traction. For example, 31 percent of respondents nationwide agree with the statement: “What Germany needs now is a single strong party that embodies the will of the people.” A further 23 percent indicated some agreement.

The notion that political decisions should be made by a “strong leader” without parliamentary oversight is supported by 11 percent of Germans, with another 21 percent expressing partial agreement. These figures are also higher in East Germany, where 15 percent fully support the idea (compared to 10 percent in West Germany), and 22 percent express partial agreement (compared to 20 percent in West Germany). The idea that “under certain circumstances, a dictatorship is the better form of government” is fully endorsed by 4 percent nationwide, with another 7 percent partially agreeing. In East Germany, 6 percent fully agree (compared to 3 percent in West Germany), and 12 percent partially agree (compared to 6 percent in West Germany).

Majority Unwilling to Work Longer

Researchers also found that while a majority of Germans are willing to accept some level of hardship in areas such as defense, the economy, digitalization, demographics, climate, and migration, there is significant resistance to the idea of working longer to maintain current pension levels. 58 percent of respondents rejected this proposal as a major imposition.