Satisfaction with democracy below 50% in eight out of nine western countries, poll finds

"Satisfaction with democracy is below 50% in eight out of nine western countries surveyed in a poll, and majorities in all but one fear for its future, with fake news, lack of political accountability, extremism and corruption seen as the biggest threats. An Ipsos survey of almost 10,000 people in Croatia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US found satisfaction with democracy low in all except Sweden, with deep concerns about the future state of electoral politics."

"Fewer than a third of respondents in six countries 18% in Croatia, 19% in France (19%), 20% in the US, 26% in the UK, 27% in Spain and 29% in Italy said they felt satisfied with how democracy was working in their country. Opinions were divided in the Netherlands (36% satisfied, 37% dissatisfied) and Poland (40% satisfied, 31% dissatisfied), and Sweden was the only country in the survey where a majority were satisfied with how democracy is working (65%)."

"Across the nine countries, more people said democracy had got worse in the past five years than better, with views in France and the Netherlands whose governments collapsed during the year particularly negative, and Poland the only exception. Overwhelmingly in France (81%) and in the Netherlands (76%) respondents felt the way democracy was working had deteriorated, but clear majorities in the US (61%), Spain and the UK (58% each) also shared that same view."

Almost 10,000 respondents across nine Western countries reported low satisfaction with how democracy is working, with Sweden the only country showing majority satisfaction (65%). Fewer than a third felt satisfied in Croatia (18%), France (19%), the US (20%), the UK (26%), Spain (27%) and Italy (29%). Opinions were split in the Netherlands (36% satisfied, 37% dissatisfied) and Poland (40% satisfied, 31% dissatisfied). More people said democracy had worsened over the past five years than improved, especially in France and the Netherlands, while Poland reported more improvement. Majorities in most countries fear for democracy’s future and identify fake news, lack of political accountability, extremism and corruption as the biggest threats, alongside a widespread desire for radical change.

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