German citizens seem to be distancing themselves from hard-right extremism, but at the same time they are losing faith in it.
A new survey by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, linked to the Social Democratic Party (SPD), paints this contradictory picture: fewer citizens identify with purely far-right views, yet the trust of many in the institutions and effectiveness of the democratic state is declining dramatically.
A statistical retreat with political depth
According to the study, the percentage of those who openly declare that they are expressed by the far-right worldview has decreased to 3.3%, compared to 8.3% two years ago. This decline shows that the most violent, unrepentantly extremist part of society has receded.
However, the survey also reveals another, more ambiguous reality: 20% of respondents declare themselves “neutral” towards some of the basic principles of far-right ideology, neither accepting nor rejecting them.
This “gray zone”—as the researchers call it—is not harmless. On the contrary, it is a space vulnerable to the rhetoric of extremists, especially in times of social and economic crisis.
The study notes that only 6.6% of respondents categorically rejected all 18 statements with clearly far-right content that were asked in the questionnaire.
The conclusion is troubling: while outright extremists are on the decline, social tolerance of certain elements of their rhetoric appears to remain high. And this tolerance can turn into acceptance if a new period of uncertainty arises.
The “gray zone” as a political risk
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung researchers warn that the middle social zone, which avoids being clearly positioned, may act as the basis for the legitimization of extreme ideas. 23% of respondents, for example, agree with the statement that “the ultimate goal of German politics should be to give Germany the power and influence it deserves.”
About one in six (15%) believe that “we should have a leader who rules with his fists for the good of all”, a formulation that is openly reminiscent of authoritarian logics. This trend has no ideological roots, but arises out of frustration and social insecurity — the same emotions that have fueled the rise of the Far Right in recent years.
Researchers speak of “tipping points”: unforeseen events or long-term processes of normalizing rhetoric previously considered extreme. The shift does not happen suddenly, but through a slow disintegration of the boundaries of public discourse.
Particularly on the issue of refugees and immigration, the study notes worrying trends. Almost a third of respondents believe that “refugees are abusing the welfare system”, while a further 36% say they are “undecided”. Thus, the view that “Germany is dangerously overrun by foreigners” seems to have gradually moved from the margins to the center of social debate.
The gradual “legitimization” of these views creates — as the report notes — “bridges” to far-right ideology. It is no longer about minority beliefs, but about everyday conversations without the fear of being labeled racist or extreme. This transition from the space of extremes to social “normality” is considered the most dangerous development.
Among the study’s most disturbing findings is the doubling of rates of right-wing extremism among 18–34-year-olds: 7% compared to 3.3% of the population as a whole. The researchers point out that younger generations, who are still forming their political identities, are massively exposed to far-right content on social media.
Far-right and right-wing populist groups use online communication in a targeted manner to reach an audience looking for simple answers to complex problems. Their rhetoric focuses on the emotional, incorporates slogans about “national identity” and exploits fatigue from constant crises — from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine and energy insecurity.
Additionally, the research identifies a social mechanism for reproducing authoritarian perceptions: those who grew up in families with a strict, performance-oriented or disciplined upbringing are more likely to adopt authoritarian or right-wing extremist tendencies as adults.
Crisis of confidence in democratic institutions
Although 79% of respondents say they “support democracy”, almost one in four believe that “democracy in Germany does not work”. Only 52% consider the political system to be “effective”, while trust in institutions has fallen from 62% (in 2021) to 50.5% this year.
Disillusionment with the political class, bureaucracy and sense of injustice undermines the very basis of democratic polity. The researchers point out that many citizens have a “contradictory” relationship with democracy: they accept it as a principle, but no longer trust the institutions that support it.
This contradiction—democratic self-determination without trust in democracy—constitutes, according to the study, the new area of danger. When citizens feel that democracy does not represent them, they become more receptive to authoritarian narratives that promise “decisiveness” and “order.”
The rise of a “liberal-authoritarian” mentality
One of the most interesting—and perhaps most disturbing—conclusions of the study concerns the spread of a new form of authoritarianism, masked behind liberal and individualistic arguments. 25% of respondents share the view that “a person’s value is determined by his performance” — an ideology that combines neoliberal values with authoritarian standards of social evaluation.
This “liberal-authoritarian” mentality, as the researchers characterize it, is associated with the idea that “everyone should take care of himself” and that society should only reward the “fittest” and the “excellent”. In this context, social solidarity and the protection of minorities are presented as an obstacle to “progress”.
13% of this group shows, according to the study, an increased tendency towards political violence and far-right views. The researchers emphasize that this development is dangerous because it brings the authoritarian mindset into the mainstream, without bearing the stigma of traditional extremism.
Society between security and freedom
The overall conclusion of the “Mitte-Studie 2024–25” study is twofold: Germany appears to be rejecting the most extreme forms of right-wing extremism, but its society is entering a period of underground authoritarianism and distrust of institutions.
The “gray zone” the researchers describe is not just a statistical category. It is the social field where uncertainty, insecurity and disillusionment with the political system can be transformed into acceptance of the strong hand. The challenge for German democracy—and more—is to regain the trust of this large, silent majority.
As the report itself notes, “democracy is no longer threatened so much by its declared enemies as by those who are gradually losing faith in it.”
(Πηγή: Deutschlandfunk, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Mitte study 2024–25)
