Majority Doubts: 73% Express Concern Over Government's Unbearable Load

According to a recent survey, the state's performance is a topic of concern for many Germans. The survey revealed that 73% of respondents have a record low trust in the state's ability to handle its tasks and problems.

One of the key areas of dissatisfaction is the lack of clarity in individual agencies' responsibilities, with 58% of respondents expressing this concern. This, coupled with the perception that there will be little change in the state's performance after the change of government, suggests a need for more transparency and accountability.

The survey also highlighted the struggle of the state in areas such as taxes/finances, internal security, healthcare, asylum and refugee policy, social security and pensions, and school/education.

Interestingly, the survey found that citizens with a primary school education trust the state at a rate of 16%, significantly less than those with a high school diploma or university degree (29%). This indicates a potential gap in trust levels based on educational attainment.

Another significant finding was the call for shorter processing times in government agencies, with 79% of respondents voicing this demand. The survey also showed that 66% of respondents want more online services from government agencies.

The survey results also indicate that public service employees are not immune to hindrances, harassment, insults, or attacks. According to the survey, 30% of citizens have observed such incidents, with bus and tram drivers, police, and rescue service personnel being particularly affected. Volker Geyer, dbb chairman, warned against hostility towards public service employees, stating that loss of respect can escalate to hate and violence in extreme cases.

In response to tight budgets and staff shortages, Volker Geyer called for a debate on the future tasks and capabilities of the state. He also emphasized the need to address the challenges posed by bureaucratic hurdles and administrative inefficiencies, political self-determination issues related to constitutional limits and European integration, and adapting to evolving defense and security needs.

The survey did not provide predefined options for the areas where respondents believe the state is struggling, but it did mention health system digitalization efforts like the electronic patient record and patient data security as significant challenges for both citizens and officials.

The survey did not mention Harburg or the performance of the state in any specific region. However, it did show a difference in trust levels between the East and West, with only 17% of citizens in the East believing the state is capable of fulfilling its tasks, compared to 24% in the West.

The survey also revealed a difference in trust levels based on political affiliation. Supporters of the SPD and Greens have more than 40% trust in the state, while those of the Union and Left have around one-third, and AfD supporters have only 4%.

In conclusion, the survey results indicate a need for improvement in the state's performance and efficiency, with calls for more transparency, shorter processing times, more online services, and fewer regulations. The challenges faced by the state are diverse, ranging from bureaucratic hurdles and administrative inefficiencies to health system digitalization and political self-determination issues. The survey also underscores the importance of respecting and supporting public service employees in these challenging times.