A recent Forsa poll, commissioned by the German Civil Servants’ Association (DBB) and reported by the Rheinische Post, reveals a stark shift in public perception of the greatest threats facing Germany. The survey indicates a growing concern among citizens that internal issues pose a more significant danger to the nation than external crises.
The poll, conducted on December 18th and 19th with a sample of 1,004 citizens, found that a staggering 90% of respondents identified profound to severe problems within the German education system as the most pressing concern. This was followed closely by societal tensions and conflicts (88%), widening inequality between rich and poor (85%), the deterioration of critical infrastructure (83%) and the escalating threat of cyberattacks (83%).
Volker Geyer, federal chairman of the DBB, linked these internal vulnerabilities directly to the state’s capacity to function effectively. He criticized what he termed “unnecessary debates about the professional status of civil servants” as a distraction from the core issues, arguing that the current teacher shortage – with over 100,000 positions unfilled – is crippling the system and forcing class cancellations. “This is the completely wrong discussion” Geyer stated, emphasizing the urgent need to address issues directly impacting the quality of education and stability of the system.
Interestingly, external threats such as ongoing international conflicts, climate change and migration were rated as comparatively less critical by the respondents. Geyer offered an explanation, suggesting that citizens are exhibiting a “natural inclination” to focus on solvable, local problems in response to feeling overwhelmed by a constellation of global crises. He emphasized the importance of restoring a sense of reliability and security among the populace, particularly during times of uncertainty.
The survey results expose a growing sentiment that the state is failing to adequately address these domestic anxieties. Geyer pointed to past government interventions – specifically, the reassurance and protection offered to savers during the banking crisis under Angela Merkel and Peer Steinbrück and the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic – as examples of what is now perceived as lacking. The findings underscore a critical need for policymakers to prioritize internal challenges and demonstrably reaffirm the state’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being and security of its citizens, lest the erosion of public trust accelerates further.
