One in Five Europeans Say Dictatorship Might Be Preferable to Democracy

A recent survey conducted across Greece, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Romania has revealed that 22% of respondents believe a dictatorship might be preferable to democracy under certain circumstances. The poll, administered by AboutPeople and commissioned by Progressive Lab, found widespread frustration with how democratic systems function in practice, even though most Europeans reject the idea of an unaccountable strongman.

The survey, carried out between November 25 and December 16 of last year, showed varying levels of discontent: 76% of Greeks were unhappy with democracy in their country, compared to 68% in France, 66% in Romania, 42% in the United Kingdom, and 32% in Sweden.

Despite this frustration, 69% of respondents rejected the notion that a capable leader should limit democratic rights without accountability. Additionally, 26% agreed with the statement: “If there was a capable and effective leader in my country, I wouldn’t mind if they limited democratic rights and were not accountable to the citizens for their actions.”

Dimitris Papadimitriou, a professor of political science at the University of Manchester, noted that traditional European divisions are receding and the political landscape is becoming more complex. He argued that confidence in liberal democracy does not necessarily rise alongside economic growth in countries such as Romania, and trust in institutions has been strained even in wealthier nations like Sweden.

George Siakas, an assistant professor at Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, explained that the survey reflects dissatisfaction with how democracy functions rather than a wholesale rejection of democratic ideals. “It expresses citizens’ dissatisfaction with the way it works, with clear anti-elite and ‘anti-establishment’ characteristics,” he said.

The study also found uneven trust in institutions, with the European Union rated at 43%, compared to 27% for the media and 24% for political parties. Furthermore, a third of respondents disagreed that the rise of far-right movements poses a danger to democracy.

In Greece, 55% reported feeling distant from their most recent voting party, followed by 53% in Romania, 47% in the United Kingdom, 43% in France, and 32% in Sweden.