A concerning trend of declining public trust is emerging across German state institutions, political parties and media outlets, according to a recent survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Demographic Research on behalf of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). The survey, which polled 1,029 individuals through face-to-face interviews between November 22nd and December 4th, reveals a steady erosion of confidence since 2021, raising serious questions about the perceived legitimacy and efficacy of Germany’s political landscape.
While the Federal Constitutional Court remains the most trusted institution, enjoying the support of 63% of respondents, this represents a significant drop from the 81% trust level recorded just four years ago. This discrepancy is particularly striking given the relatively low public interest in the court’s decisions, with only 23% expressing engagement with the rulings emanating from Karlsruhe. Furthermore, a sizable 31% of respondents remained undecided on whether the court’s influence is excessive or insufficient, suggesting a lack of widespread understanding or critical assessment of its role.
The decline in trust is even more pronounced for other key institutions. Media outlets have suffered a dramatic loss of public confidence, plummeting from 39% trust in 2021 to a mere 22% currently. The federal government’s approval rating has also fallen sharply, decreasing by 20 percentage points from 48% to 28%, although it previously reached a low of 23% in 2023. Similarly, the Bundestag (parliament) now commands the trust of just 36% of respondents, while political parties are viewed with even greater skepticism, attracting just 17% approval.
The controversy surrounding the failed election of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as a Constitutional Court judge further highlights the public’s evolving perception of the political process. While a majority (54%) deemed it justifiable for members of parliament to reject a candidate they lacked conviction in – a view even shared by 46% of supporters of the SPD, which had nominated Brosius-Gersdorf – there remains a pervasive distrust of politician-led judicial appointments. Remarkably, almost 50% of respondents expressed the belief that they themselves would make better decisions than either politicians or judges, indicating a potential shift in power dynamics and a demand for greater citizen participation. This sentiment is likely to fuel further debate regarding the transparency and accountability of those in positions of authority.