East and West, United in Discontent

Ranking of concerns: At the top of the list is financial security in old age (59 percent in the West and 63 percent in the East are very or extremely concerned); not being able to afford one’s home (40 percent versus 41 percent); and becoming a victim of crime (26 percent versus 30 percent). The fear of losing one’s job is a concern for 12 percent of respondents in both the West and the East.

Where we differ significantly

Self-assessment: Respondents in East Germany rate their social standing lower. None (0 percent) of them see themselves at the very top on a scale of 1 to 10; in the West, the figure is at least 1 percent. Twenty-nine percent of West Germans, but 35 percent of East Germans, see themselves toward the bottom of the scale—at levels 1 through 4. 

Disrespect: 36 percent of respondents in the East fully or somewhat agreed with the statement: “People in the rest of Germany do not respect how people here in our region live”. Only 23 percent of the West Germans surveyed agreed with this statement.

Everyday Frustration: Respondents in the East are almost universally more dissatisfied with how public life functions, for example regarding street safety, healthcare, or public administration. A notable exception is affordable housing—here, respondents from the West are even more frustrated. Only 18 percent are satisfied, compared to 23 percent of East Germans.

Systemic issues: Nearly 36 years after German reunification, East Germans surveyed view democracy with more skepticism than West Germans. “Democracy is preferable to any other form of government,” for example, was agreed to by 73 percent in the West, but only 62 percent in the East. The idea of a “strong leader” who could govern without regard for parliament or elections is supported by 13 percent in the West and 17 percent in the East.

Shaky Pillars of Democracy: For 51 percent in the East, freedom of expression is seriously threatened (44 percent in the West); for 49 percent, the principle of majority rule (41 percent); for 45 percent, freedom of the press (36 percent); and for 39 percent, the rule of law (32 percent).

What Should Be a Cause for Concern in Politics

The picture is thus bleaker in the East than in the West—but what is striking is just how severely trust in democratic institutions and in those in power has been shaken overall. 

Widespread distrust: When asked about institutions, 60 percent in the West say they tend not to trust the federal government or do not trust it at all; in the East, the figure is as high as 70 percent. In the West, 53 percent distrust the Bundestag, while in the East the figure is 62 percent; 71 percent in the West and 76 percent in the East distrust political parties; and 75 percent in the West and 78 percent in the East distrust politicians. The only institutions with positive ratings are local mayors—trusted by 63 percent in the West and 55 percent in the East—and the courts (67 percent versus 60 percent). The police enjoy the trust of 78 percent in the West and 72 percent in the East.

Doubts about the Basic Law: A great many people already question democracy as enshrined in the Basic Law: 33 percent in the West and 43 percent in the East express dissatisfaction. When it comes to democracy as it actually functions today, the numbers are even higher: 50 percent in the West and as many as 62 percent in the East.

A Rosy Retrospective: In both the West and the East, nearly one in two people say democracy functioned better ten years ago (49 and 48 percent); nearly as many believe that democracy will be in even worse shape ten years from now than it is today (45 percent in the West and 47 percent in the East).

Desire for something different: More than half of the East Germans surveyed (54 percent) believe that Germany’s political system needs to be changed in many respects or entirely. In West Germany, 42 percent say the same.

Devastating verdict: Two out of three respondents (66 percent in the West, 71 percent in the East) tend to disagree or strongly disagree that politicians make an effort to represent the interests of the population. About eight in ten doubt that politicians make an effort to engage with the public. 66 percent in the West and 71 percent in the East see democracy in Germany as being in danger.

Alleged corruption: When asked about the strengths of the democratic system, just 6 percent in the West and 5 percent in the East cite the ability to make decisions quickly; 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively, consider rewarding performance to be a strength of the system. When asked the opposite question—about the system’s weaknesses—a staggering 50 percent in the West and 56 percent in the East cite corruption and misconduct by politicians.

Doubts About Competence: Very few believe the political parties are capable of solving Germany’s most important challenges. The SPD, Greens, Left Party, BSW, and FDP all score in the single digits, with slight variations in both the West and the East. Leading the way on this question is the AfD, with 18 percent in the West and 28 percent in the East. Similarly, 18 percent in the West trust the CDU/CSU to handle these issues, but only 10 percent in the East do. Twenty-three percent in the West and 25 percent in the East do not believe any party has the competence to find solutions.

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