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New German ‘Mitte’ Study Finds Fewer Hard-Right Extremists as Democratic Trust Slides

Warning of a solidifying gray zone open to antidemocratic ideas, researchers urge stronger civic education plus social policy.

Overview

  • The share holding a clear right‑wing extremist worldview fell to 3.3% from about 8% in 2022/23, moving back toward pre‑crisis levels.
  • Only 52% say democracy in Germany largely works, about 18% distrust the correctness of elections, and roughly two in five lack trust in institutions.
  • Around 20% remain ambivalent toward nationalist or extremist statements, with 15% favoring a strong leader and about a quarter backing a single dominant party.
  • Prejudicial attitudes persist, including negative views of asylum seekers (over 30%), the long‑term unemployed (36%) and trans people (19%), alongside notable antisemitic sentiments.
  • Younger adults and men show higher vulnerability, with 7% of 18–34‑year‑olds meeting the extremist threshold, as concern about climate threat drops to 56%.