Survey finds Europeans disillusioned with democracy, but still support it
The research, conducted by Progressive Lab and carried out by About People, covered five countries: Greece, France, Sweden, Romania and the United Kingdom.
Presenting the findings, About People CEO Petros Ioannidis said democratic values remain dominant across all five countries. However, dissatisfaction is directed at the way democracy operates rather than the system itself. He noted a notable minority expressing openness to strong, non-accountable leadership, alongside low trust in institutions and growing distance from political parties.
The study found that Greece stands out as both the most supportive of democracy and the most dissatisfied with its performance, largely due to ongoing economic pressures.
Speaking at the panel, Dimitris Papadimitriou of the University of Manchester said traditional distinctions between “stable” Western and “unstable” Eastern democracies are increasingly outdated. He warned of “horizontal threats” including political disengagement, distrust, and perceptions of government ineffectiveness, noting that 20–30% of respondents questioning democracy cannot be ignored.
Focusing on Romania, Alina Dolea of Bournemouth University linked anti-democratic attitudes to post-communist legacies, corruption and weak political representation, adding that digital influence mechanisms are pushing some voters toward anti-establishment candidates.
On the role of technology, Angeliki Gazi highlighted how social media and algorithm-driven platforms amplify emotionally charged content, particularly anger, shaping political discourse. She stressed that transparency in algorithms is becoming a key challenge for modern democracies.
Closing the discussion, Filippos Sachinidis warned that democracy should not be taken for granted. He argued that its resilience depends on active political participation and functioning party systems, cautioning that failure by progressive forces to represent those left behind by economic and technological change could strengthen anti-system movements, particularly on the far right.
