The new Berlin Monitor contains a wealth of data on the political and social attitudes of people in Berlin.
© dpa
Although a large majority of Berlin's population still supports the democratic system, approval is crumbling and scepticism is growing.
This is according to the new Berlin Monitor, presented by Social Affairs Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD). The representative survey found that 86 percent believe democracy is the political system that best suits German society. This is the lowest figure since the surveys began in 2019.
At the same time, 40 per cent support anti-democratic alternatives to democracy, such as a strong leader, a one-party system or a dictatorship. The authors of the study therefore classify them as "fragile democrats". According to the survey, only 62 per cent of respondents, or just under two-thirds, are satisfied overall with the form of democracy that exists in Germany. This figure was higher in earlier surveys.
As part of the Berlin Monitor project, researchers have been surveying around 2,000 representative Berliners every two years since 2019 about their political and social attitudes. One of the findings of the latest survey is that anti-Semitic and anti-Gypsyist attitudes are widespread among the population.
Kiziltepe wants to have a state law promoting democracy in place by the summer. This would make Berlin the first federal state to take this step. "At a time when our democracy is under increasing attack, Berlin is sending a clear signal with the State Democracy Promotion Act," said the SPD politician in response to a dpa inquiry. The usual consultation process with relevant associations has been underway since the end of January. The draft bill is to be prepared in May and then submitted to the Senate. The social administration, which is responsible for diversity and anti-discrimination issues, expects it to be passed at the last plenary session before the summer recess on 2 July in the House of Representatives.