Every fourth East German open to an authoritarian state - East and West Germany split over democracy's promise and pitfalls
Dissatisfaction with Democracy Remains High in Germany—But Economic Factors Play Key Role Only in the East
Dissatisfaction with how democracy functions in Germany remains widespread, though in eastern Germany it is closely tied to local economic conditions, according to the latest Deutschland-Monitor survey.
Nearly half of all eastern Germans (49%) express dissatisfaction with the country's democratic system, with 14% describing themselves as "very dissatisfied." In western Germany, dissatisfaction stands at 38%, with 8% "very dissatisfied."
These findings come from this year's Deutschland-Monitor, a government-commissioned study set to be presented this Thursday by Elisabeth Kaiser (SPD), the federal commissioner for eastern Germany. The 223-page report was obtained in advance by stern.
At the same time, the study reaffirms that nearly all Germans fundamentally support the idea of democracy—98%, a figure identical in both east and west. However, the share of those who say they are "very satisfied" with democracy as a form of government is higher in the west (76%) than in the east (65%).
The figures largely mirror the 2024 Deutschland-Monitor, which found that 53% of eastern Germans were dissatisfied with democracy's performance—slightly higher than today's levels.
How Many Are Open to Authoritarianism?
The analysis identifies one-fifth of Germans (21%)—and one-quarter in the east (26%)—as receptive to authoritarian ideas. For instance, 35% of eastern Germans agree with the statement, "What Germany needs now is a single strong party that embodies the will of the people as a whole," while another 26% partially agree. In the west, 30% fully endorse this view, with an additional 23% partially in agreement.
Fifteen percent of eastern Germans favor a "strong leader" who "need not heed Parliament," with another 22% at least partially supportive. In the west, 10% back this idea, while 20% are somewhat open to it.
However, only 6% of eastern Germans believe a dictatorship "could be a better form of government than democracy under certain circumstances," with another 12% partially agreeing. In the west, these figures are roughly half as high.
The researchers emphasize that authoritarian-leaning attitudes stem from several key factors. They are more prevalent among "individuals socialized in East Germany or the former GDR, as well as those with lower levels of education." Perceptions of societal loss of control, negative assessments of Germany's economic situation, and fears of status decline also play a significant role.
The strongest predictor, the study notes, is political self-identification. Among those who place themselves on the far right, 61% show at least partial openness to authoritarian ideas. The figure drops to 50% among supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Economic Prosperity a Decisive Factor in the East
Researchers from the universities of Halle, Jena, and Mannheim conducted an additional 4,000 interviews across twelve districts—some economically struggling, others thriving—between July and late September 2025.
The results reveal that in economically weaker regions, support for authoritarian ideas is "significantly more common," with 33% of respondents at least partially endorsing such views. By contrast, in prosperous eastern districts—as well as in all western districts, regardless of economic strength—only 21% to 24% express similar sentiments.
In eastern Germany, the study finds, economic conditions directly correlate with trust in democracy and its institutions. In the west, however, "political support appears largely decoupled from regional prosperity."
Research also shows that people's willingness to embrace change in eastern Germany is closely linked to their economic and social circumstances. In economically robust districts, only 10 percent of residents were classified by researchers as "supporters of transformation"—a figure still six percentage points higher than in struggling regions. At the same time, poorer areas have a disproportionately high share of "preservation-minded" individuals, accounting for 25 percent of the population.
"Acceptance of change grows with people's personal resources," Carsten Schneider, the federal government's commissioner for eastern Germany, told Stern magazine. "To me, this means: fair wages, strong education, and a robust welfare state are the foundation for bringing people along."
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