Berlin-Monitor Reveals Record-Low Acceptance of Democracy and Prejudices in Society

The Berlin Senate Department for Integration, Labor and Social Affairs presented the results of the latest edition of the Berlin-Monitor for 2025. The study, coordinated by Senator Cansel Kiziltepe of the SPD, reveals a series of concerning trends. While 86% of Berlin residents still consider democracy the best possible political system for Germany, this is the lowest recorded level since measurements began. Thus, support for the democratic system has reached a record low. Research on democracy and social attitudes in Germany has a long tradition, dating back to the period after World War II, when the susceptibility of society to authoritarian ideas began to be systematically studied. Institutions such as the University of Leipzig have been conducting projects for decades aimed at early detection of threats to the democratic order. One of the most striking conclusions of the report is the persistent presence of prejudices based on sexuality and identity. One in five Berlin residents (20%) describes same-sex kisses in public spaces as "disgusting." An almost identical percentage (19%) perceives transgenderism as a real threat to social order. These data show that despite Berlin's image as an open and tolerant metropolis, a significant portion of its residents do not accept full equality for LGBTQ+ individuals. Senator Kiziltepe commented that these results require a decisive political response. The study also reveals significant susceptibility to authoritarian ideas. Some respondents express openness to the concept of a strong leader independent of parliament or to a one-party system. According to the report's authors, this is a serious "warning" for the political class. „„Wir müssen diese Ergebnisse sehr ernst nehmen. Sie zeigen, dass Demokratie nicht einfach da ist, sondern immer wieder erkämpft und verteidigt werden muss”” — Cansel Kiziltepe. Simultaneously, the report documents persistent racist and nationalist attitudes, which, combined with declining trust in institutions, create a dangerous mix. Support for Democracy in Berlin according to Berlin-Monitor (2019-2025): 2019: 92, 2021: 89, 2023: 88, 2025: 86 Critics, such as commentators from the "Berliner Zeitung," however, accuse politicians of limiting themselves to declarative "taking a stance" instead of developing concrete, long-term strategies to counter these negative trends. There is a lack of a clear action plan that goes beyond one-off educational campaigns. The Berlin-Monitor, as a regular longitudinal study, allows tracking the evolution of these dangerous phenomena over time. The current edition clearly indicates that the trends are negative and require systemic, multi-level intervention that reaches all social groups in Berlin, which is diverse in terms of origin and material status.