A survey shows that 22% of Europeans believe that dictatorship can be preferable to democracy, and dissatisfaction with democracy is significant in several countries.

A survey conducted by AboutPeople, commissioned by the think tank Progressive Lab, reveals that 22% of Europeans believe that, under certain circumstances, dictatorship could be a preferable option to democracy. The study, carried out in Greece, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Romania, highlighted a widespread dissatisfaction with the way democracy functions in practice, rather than a rejection of the concept of democracy itself. For example, 76% of Greeks and 68% of French respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy in their countries.

Alongside growing support for populist and far-right parties, the survey showed that 26% of respondents would accept limiting democratic rights if there were an effective leader. However, 69% of respondents reject the idea of an authoritarian regime. Trust in institutions varies, with the European Union having the best result at 43%, while political parties and the media are perceived with distrust. Greece recorded the highest sense of detachment from political parties, with 55% of respondents stating that they do not feel close to the party they voted for.