Support for democracy remains strong, but trust in current politics remains low

Social cohesion is strong in Thuringia. At the same time, trust in political institutions remains rather low. This is shown by the »Thüringen-Monitor« (Thuringia Monitor) 2025, which a research team from the Institute of Political Science and the KomRex—Centre for Right-Wing Extremism Research, Democracy Education and Social Integration—at Friedrich Schiller University Jena presented today (12 May). Almost 4,000 Thuringians eligible to vote were surveyed by telephone and online for the report on political culture in the state. The focus of the current »Thüringen-Monitor« is social cohesion.

Strong attachment to Thuringia

Around 90 per cent of respondents feel »very« or »rather strongly« connected to Thuringia. They cite nature and landscape as well as culture with Thuringia’s historical heritage and traditions as particular strengths of the federal state. »The ›Thüringen-Monitor‹ shows that a strong sense of belonging in Thuringia is created through the local area, for example through the community, the landscape, shared traditions and local social relationships«, says Prof. Dr Marion Reiser, the scientific director of the study at the University of Jena. »This local anchoring is an important resource for social cohesion in the Free State.«

Strong local cohesion

At 85 per cent, the vast majority of respondents are very satisfied with the quality of life in their place of residence. 68 per cent feel integrated into stable social relationships and networks; 83 per cent believe that they receive support from their immediate environment when problems arise. The potential for local political involvement is also high: 20 per cent can imagine running for an office or mandate in their community; a further nine per cent are or have already been involved in this way.

Gap between the ideal of democracy and the practice of democracy

At 90 per cent, approval of the idea of democracy as a state remains at a very high level. In a long-term comparison of the past 25 years in which the »Thüringen-Monitor« has been published, this is the highest value measured. In contrast, the assessment of democracy in practice is much more critical: Only 44 per cent are »satisfied« or »very satisfied« with the current functioning of democracy in Germany, while trust in the federal and state governments stands at 21 and 29 per cent respectively.

»The findings show a clear gap between the high level of approval of democracy as an idea and dissatisfaction with its actual functioning«, says Reiser. »This gap is significant in terms of democratic policy because it provides starting points for populist and system-critical narratives that question the fundamental legitimacy of the political system.«

Right-wing extremist attitudes remain widespread

The two components of right-wing extremism—ethnocentrism and neo-national socialism—declined slightly for the first time in 2025 after increases in previous years. For example, approval of a strong sense of nationalism (»What our country needs today is a tough and energetic assertion of German interests.«) fell from 61 per cent in 2024 to 53 per cent. Agreement with the social Darwinist statement »There is valuable and unvaluable life« has fallen from 22 per cent in 2024 to 13 per cent. Nevertheless, the proportion of those who share both components of right-wing extremist attitudes has remained constant at 18 per cent.

Populist attitudes remain as widespread as in previous years at 58 per cent. At the same time, they are more frequently associated with ethnocentric or neo-national socialist attitudes. Among respondents with populist attitudes, 66 per cent also share corresponding right-wing extremist attitudes. »Populism has not spread further in Thuringia recently, but has shifted more to the right«, says Marion Reiser.

Background

The »Thüringen-Monitor« is a study commissioned by the Thuringian State Chancellery on political culture in the state and has been analysing political attitudes and social developments in Thuringia every year since 2000. The long-term study was published for the 25th time this year. The complete »Thüringen-Monitor« 2025 can be downloaded here de (German only).