Citizens’ views: only 17 percent of East German trust the state

Three out of four Germans consider the state to be overwhelmed to solve its tasks and problems. In previous years it was between 66 and 70 percent. The new value of 73 percent marks a record when it comes to low confidence in state ability to act, as the civil servant Association DBB announced in the presentation of its public service in 2025.

In East Germany, only 17 percent consider the state to be able to perform its tasks. It is 24 percent in the west. People with a secondary school diploma bring the state to 16 percent trust and thus much less often than that with Abitur or study (29 percent). Bearers of the SPD and the Greens have more than 40 percent confidence in the state, that of the Union and the left of around a third and that of the AfD only 4 percent.

But what tasks is the state currently overwhelmed? The respondents who believe that the state is overwhelmed keep this at 30 in asylum and refugee policy in the event, 16 percent in social security and pension, 15 percent in school/education, 13 percent in taxes/finances, 12 percent in the area of ​​internal security and 11 percent in health care. The areas had been asked about the areas without any response.

Trust in politics differently pronounced

According to the survey, every fifth is of the opinion that the black-red federal government will promote the performance of the state more than the predecessor from the SPD, the Greens and FDP. 70 percent believe that after the change of government, little will change in the state’s performance.

It was also asked what government authorities could do better. 85 percent consider fewer regulations to be important, 79 percent shorter processing times, 66 percent more online services and 58 A clear regulation of the responsibilities of individual authorities.

DBB boss Volker Geyer asked politicians to initiate a debate: “What tasks the state will and can the state still perform in the future?” In view of the tight health insurers and, according to Geyer, there is no way around this discussion. The Union and SPD would also have to work professionally. “If there is nothing of it in the everyday life of people again, a very hard impact follows the unchecked descent of trust,” said Geyer.

Geyer also warned of hostility to the public service employees. Loss of reputation struggle in extreme cases in hatred and violence. According to the survey, 30 percent of the citizens – and thus a little more than formerly – have already observed that the public service employees were hindered, harassed, insulted or attacked. In addition to emergency services from the police and emergency services, according to DBB, drivers of buses and trams are particularly affected.