Thuringia sticks together – but trust in politics remains weak

The Thuringia Monitor 2025 paints a contradictory picture: approval of democracy as a state ideal is higher than it has been in a quarter of a century, yet trust in current politics remains low. For social cohesion in the Free State, both are – a resource and a warning signal.

The Thuringia Monitor has been conducted annually since 2000 on behalf of the Thuringian State Chancellery and examines political attitudes as well as social developments in the Free State. The research team at the Institute for Political Science at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and KomRex – Center for Research on Right-Wing Extremism, Democracy Education and Social Integration – presented the results of the Thuringia Monitor 2025 on May 12.

For the current survey, 3,838 eligible voters in Thuringia were interviewed by phone and online. The main topic is social cohesion.

The core data show a clear discrepancy between democratic consensus and political dissatisfaction: 90 percent approve of democracy as a state ideal – the highest value in the study's 25-year comparison. However, only 44 percent are satisfied or very satisfied with the current functioning of democracy in Germany. Trust in the federal government is at 21 percent, and in the state government at 29 percent.

Strong support locally, weak ties to political institutions

The study initially paints a picture of stable local roots. Around 90 percent of respondents feel very or rather strongly connected to Thuringia. Nature and landscape as well as culture, historical heritage, and traditions are cited as particular strengths. 85 percent are very satisfied with the quality of life at their place of residence. 68 percent see themselves as embedded in stable social relationships and networks, 83 percent expect support from their close environment if they have problems.

Study director Marion Reiser, political scientist at the University of Jena, classifies these findings as a cohesion that arises strongly in the immediate environment – through community, familiar places, shared experiences, and local relationships. This is precisely where a reserve of stability lies: where everyday life, clubs, neighborhoods, and family networks provide support, this can cushion conflicts and help weather crises better.

At the same time, the transfer of this closeness into trust in political institutions remains limited. The Monitor suggests that many Thuringians affirm democracy as a principle, but view the practical performance of political processes skeptically – especially at the federal and state level. Politically, this is delicate: if not the democratic order itself, but its functioning is perceived as inadequate, a permanent target is created for narratives that portray politics as generally out of touch or ineffective.

There are nevertheless indications of a willingness to participate. 20 percent can imagine running for an office or mandate in their community; another nine percent are or have been involved in this way. This suggests that democratic participation at the local level remains not only abstract but practically conceivable for a relevant part of the population – even if trust in "politics" as a whole is low.

Right-wing extremist attitudes remain a problem

Looking at right-wing extremist patterns of attitude, the Thuringia Monitor 2025 shows a mixed development. Two recorded components have, after previous increases, slightly declined for the first time: approval of a strong national feeling fell from 61 percent in 2024 to 53 percent. Approval of the social Darwinist statement "There is valuable and worthless life" dropped from 22 to 13 percent.

However, this does not mean an all-clear. The proportion of those who share both components of attitudinal right-wing extremism remains constant at 18 percent. For democratic culture, this is a serious finding, as it indicates a stable anchoring of right-wing extremist thought patterns in a relevant part of the population – despite individual declines in specific statements.

The consequences are evident not only in election results or public debates, but in everyday social life: where such attitudes remain connectable, this affects the safety and participation of minorities, the climate in schools, clubs, and initiatives, as well as the willingness to resolve conflicts democratically. The Monitor thus describes not a fringe phenomenon, but a structural challenge for cohesion and democratic norms.

Populism remains widespread and shifts to the right

Populist attitudes are even more widespread: 58 percent of respondents fall into this category. Particularly explosive is the overlap with right-wing extremist patterns: among respondents with populist attitudes, 66 percent also share corresponding right-wing extremist attitudes.

Reiser assesses this development as a shift: populism has not spread further recently, but has become more oriented to the right. This sharpens the political conflict line. Because where mistrust in institutions, populist interpretations, and right-wing extremist attitudes coincide, the risk increases that democratic procedures are not only criticized but fundamentally delegitimized.

Thus, the Thuringia Monitor 2025 does not paint a picture of a disintegrating Free State – on the contrary: local ties and satisfaction in the immediate living environment are high. Precisely for this reason, the second observation weighs heavily: the distance to political institutions remains great. For parties, governments, and municipalities, the central question is not whether people want democracy – but whether politics appears comprehensible, effective, and fair enough for approval of the idea to become trust in practice.