Support is lowest in France, Spain and Poland, while 21% back authoritarian rule under certain circumstances
Only half of young people in France and Spain believe that democracy is the best form of government, with support even lower among their Polish counterparts, a study has found.
A majority from Europe’s generation Z – 57% – prefer democracy to any other form of government. Rates of support varied significantly, however, reaching just 48% in Poland and only about 51-52% in Spain and France, with Germany highest at 71%.
More than one in five – 21% – would favour authoritarian rule under certain, unspecified circumstances. This was highest in Italy at 24% and lowest in Germany with 15%. In France, Spain and Poland the figure was 23%.
Nearly one in 10 across the nations said they did not care whether their government was democratic or not, while another 14% did not know or did not answer.
This is a very weird framing of this study. The original study (which is linked in the article) is in German. Those who don’t speak German will find a useful translation provider, I provide the study’s summary literal translation:
>Young people: EU and democracy are good, but reforms are needed
- 57% prefer democracy to any other form of government - 39% think that the EU does not function particularly democratically
- Young Europeans want change - 53% criticize the EU for being too preoccupied with trivialities instead of focusing on the essentials
- Cost of living, defense against external threats and better conditions for businesses should be priorities for the EU
- Only 42% think that the EU is one of the three most powerful global political players
Among others, the study also says (again, a direct translation, I am not paraphrasing):
48% of young Europeans believe that democracy in their country is under threat, compared to 61% in Germany. Two thirds rate their country’s membership of the EU as positive. At the same time, 53% of young people criticize the fact that the EU is too often concerned with minor issues. Half of 16 to 26-year-olds think the EU is a good idea, but very poorly implemented.
I don’t say that everything is perfect, but the whole study paints a completely different picture than this article - and especially its headline - appears to suggest.
[Edit my comments for clarity, translation has not been edited.]
This was very informative.
It would also be of interest to see the formulation of the questions. A lot of the far-right deny that their views are authoritarian or autocratic and just call it “democracy”. I wonder how narrow the questions and how well they can highlight a distiction between e.g. " democracy" (which may include autocratic rule) and “liberal democracy” (which would not include autocracy).
Unfortunately there is only a German version of the study, I don’t know whether you speak German or you may manage to get a automated translation.
Study: Junges Europe 2025 / Young Europe 2025 - (PDF)
In the study (85 pages) you see each question and the response.
Last year the study was also available in English (Young Europe 2024 - pdf)
I hope this helps somehow.
Classic. “We should improve the system somewhat.” - “OMG YOU HATE DEMOCRACY!!!”
One would think on the decline of democracy and accompanying problems you should gain faith in democracy.
But somehow it’s always the opposite.
The less scientific progress there is, the more people “lose faith in it”, the less peace there is, the more people are skeptical of it, the less equality there is, the less people value it.
I think it’s not natural, rather an illustration of covert media propaganda being very powerful.
Ah man I hate being just old enough to remember the stories about what the alternative is like. I suppose youth have the excuse of ignorance, but still.
Germany highest at 71%…lol in the worst possible way
If this is any way true, we’re in for a fuck of ride