Hesse in survey shock: majority dissatisfied with democracy!

Hesse in survey shock: majority dissatisfied with democracy!

A new study shows that democracy in Germany is viewed in a critical light for many Hessians. According to a survey carried out on behalf of the state government and involving 1,502 eligible voters, 51% of respondents believe that democracy is not working or is working less well. Criteria such as public order and bureaucracy play a major role. 86% of those surveyed are worried about the breakdown of public order and 77% perceive the state as bureaucratically overburdened. These figures are reported by hessenschau.

Despite the widespread dissatisfaction, there are also bright spots. In Hesse, 58% see democracy as very good or somewhat good, while 39% rate the mood as rather negative. This optimistic approach could be linked to the 26-year-old CDU government, as State Chancellor Benedikt Kuhn explains. His hope lies in rebuilding trust in democracy, which Prime Minister Boris Rhein has also addressed as a key issue.

Trust and connection to home

A large part of the Hessian population feels strongly connected to their federal state - a full 88% say they have a good feeling for Hesse. Trust in local institutions appears to be particularly high in rural areas and among middle generations. Mayors are more trusted than the federal government, reflecting local proximity and familiarity.

The results of the study also show that democracy in Hesse is perceived as functioning, which 60% of those surveyed agree with. The Hessian State Chancellery interprets this as a sign of positive social cohesion and states that citizens are demanding transparency and more direct participation in political processes. These wishes also include a simpler and more understandable voting law: 77% of those surveyed would like this and 75% support the proposal to introduce directly elected representatives in parliament, as reported by staatskanzlei.hessen.de.

Critical tendencies in a national comparison

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

Overall, it can be said that the democratic structures in Hesse show both challenges and opportunities in view of the survey results. The majority of the population values ​​their own federal state, whereas the critical mood towards federal German democracy is becoming increasingly louder. Political action in the next few months will be crucial to regain citizens' trust and strengthen a shared sense of belonging.