82 percent against the traffic lights
Survey: 83 percent of Saxons for democracy
January 23, 2024, 5:15 p.m
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According to a survey, a large majority of citizens in Saxony are committed to democracy. However, they complain about significant shortcomings in practice. The current “Saxony Monitor” is a bitter vote of no confidence, especially for the Bundestag and the Berlin traffic light.
A majority of people in Saxony support democracy, but have doubts about how it will work in Germany. 83 percent consider democracy to be a good form of government, but only 41 percent were satisfied with how it works in Germany. This comes from the publication in Dresden “Saxony Monitor” 87 percent think that more direct democracy through referendums would increase many people’s interest in politics.
No state, municipal or other institution was able to gain trust. Compared to the previous survey, mayors lost 14 percent of trust. The federal government suffered the biggest losses, with a loss of 21 percent, and the German Bundestag, with a loss of 20 percent. 82 percent said they had little or no trust in the federal government.
The Saxon state government also lost nine percent. 44 percent still have great or very great trust in it. The most important problem for those surveyed is asylum policy. 25 percent said this; compared to the previous survey, the value increased by 21 percent.
Personal satisfaction greater
Nevertheless, the majority of people are positive about their personal future. 63 percent said they were optimistic about this. 72 percent view their own economic situation as positive. Slightly more than half of those surveyed rate the future of their own federal state as rather good or very good.
86 percent believe they have their life in their own hands. Personal effort leads to success in life for 76 percent of those surveyed. 86 percent said they were proud of what has been achieved in Saxony since 1990. For 82 percent, the federal state does not have to shy away from comparison with western German federal states. The GDR is viewed as an unjust state by all age groups. In relation to this view, the values have been increasing since the “Saxony Monitor” from 2018. For 86 percent, maintaining the memory of the Peaceful Revolution is very important.
CDU: “Saxons want a stronger state”
For the “Sachsen-Monitor”, the dimap institute surveyed 2,041 people aged 18 and over between June and September. “The Saxons have expressed themselves clearly: They want a stronger state that protects democracy, advances the economy and creates jobs,” explained State Chancellor Oliver Schenk of the CDU. The Saxony Monitor is regularly commissioned by the Saxon State Chancellery.
Justice Minister Katja Meier came to a different conclusion. The Green politician said that the “Saxony Monitor” was a major cause for concern. But the results are not surprising, she explained. “More and more people are losing trust in democracy, leaning towards populist, racist and conspiracy theory views and supporting anti-democratic forces.”