Support for democracy among the German population is undermined, while nationalist, far-right and anti-Semitic views have strengthened significantly over the past two years. This is according to a biannual study on the political positions of German society, published today by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, which is close to the ruling Social Democratic Party.
These worrisome changes are attributed to the series of crises that German society has experienced over the past two years – the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine, and the continued mass migration.
The survey found that about a quarter of all German society (23.2%) fully or partially support the assertion that under certain conditions in the national interest, dictatorship is the best form of government. 43.1% of Germans believe wholly or partially that Germany now needs one strong party to represent the entire "people's community" (Nazi term). 26.6% of all Germans believe wholly or partially that Germany needs a leader (Führer) who, for the sake of the common welfare, will govern with a strong hand.
Two years ago, the percentage of full supporters of dictatorship was 2.2%, today it is 6.8%.The percentage of those in the "gray zone" who support this determination has risen from 15.5% to 23.3%. In other words, the possible support for dictatorship now encompasses about a third of German society.
The attitude towards the Nazi party has changed positively in the past two years: 23% of all Germans believe wholly or partially that without the extermination of the Jews, Adolf Hitler would be considered a great statesman today. 21.9% of Germans believe wholly or partially that Nazi crimes were exaggerated. 26.9% of Germans believe wholly or partially that Nazism also had positive aspects.
Anti-neo-Nazi protesters in Berlin // Photo: AP,
27% of Germans believe that Jews still have too much influence, while 22% fully or partially believe that Jews use "dirty" tricks more than others to achieve their goals. 20.4% of Germans say that Jews have a unique character and are not suitable for German society.
According to the survey data, xenophobia has increased significantly in the past two years: two years ago, clear xenophobic attitudes stood at 4.5%, today it is 16.2%, and the percentage of those in the "gray area" – that is, partially support xenophobic attitudes – has risen from 21.3% to 30.3%. The percentage of those with clear right-wing extremist positions has risen over the past two years from 1.7% to 8.3%, and the percentage of those in the "gray area" has risen from 21.1% to 20.1%.
Those with clear antisemitic attitudes increased from 1.7% to 5.7%, and the percentage of those with partial antisemitic attitudes increased from 10.3% to 15.3%. It should be noted that in Germany, as in other countries, both the coronavirus and the war in Ukraine were attributed by elements from the political extremes to Jews.
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