Hesse in the survey: majority dissatisfied with democracy!

Hesse in the survey: majority dissatisfied with democracy!

A new study shows that democracy in Germany is in a critical light for many Hessians. According to a survey that was carried out on behalf of the state government and in which 1,502 persons entitled to vote, 51% of those surveyed believe that democracy does not work or work less well. Criteria such as public order and bureaucracy play a major role. For example, 86% of the respondents have concerns about breaking public order and 77% find the state overloaded. These figures are reported by the [Hessenschau] (https://www.hessenschau.de/politik/knappe-west-der-hessen-mit-in-in-Deutschland-un-unfied-v1.hessenstudie- Democracy 100.html).

Despite the widespread dissatisfaction, there are also bright spots. In Hesse, 58% see democracy as very good or rather good, while 39% rate the mood rather negatively. This optimistic approach could be associated with the 26-year-old CDU government, as State Chancellor Benedikt Kuhn explains. His hope lies in the reconstruction of confidence in democracy, which the Prime Minister Boris Rhein has also addressed as a focus topic.

trust and connection to home

Most of the Hessian population feels strongly connected to their state - 88% state that they have a good sense of Hesse. Trust in local institutions seems to be high, especially in rural areas and in middle generations. Mayor enjoy a higher trust than the federal government, which reflects local proximity and familiarity.

The results of the study also show that democracy in Hesse is perceived as functioning, for which 60% of the respondents vote. The Hessian State Chancellery interprets this as a sign of positive social cohesion and finds that citizens demand transparency and more direct participation in political processes. These wishes also include a easier and more understandable voting right: 77% of the respondents want this and 75% support the proposal to introduce directly elected MPs to the parliament, as reported by [Staatskanzlei.hessen.de] (https://staatskanzlei.hessen.de/presse/democriefoerung-zhen-erste- success)

critical tendencies in the federal comparison

Another remarkable result of the study is the low participation of citizens in political processes, especially at the local level: only 8% are active. The main reasons for this reluctance lie in time, in the lack of confidence and in the fear of digital agitation. Here is appealed by koerber-stiftung.de to promote cooperation between citizens and institutions in order to strengthen political participation.

Overall, it should be noted that the democratic structures in Hesse show both challenges and opportunities in view of the survey results. The majority of the population appreciates their own state, whereas the critical mood compared to the German democracy is getting louder. Political action in the next few months will be crucial to regain the trust of the citizens and to strengthen a common feeling of belonging.