Ever felt like taking the temperature on how folks are feeling about democracy during these post-COVID times? Well, the King Baudouin Foundation and Bertelsmann Stiftung did just that, and the feedback from a whopping 12,000 EU peeps is pretty wild.

 

Scoreboard Time!

Alright, here's the rundown on who's vibing with democracy:

- Germany and the Netherlands are rocking it at the top with 70% and 74% satisfaction rates. 

- Belgium and France are chillin' in the middle with 54% and 51%.

- Meanwhile, Spain and Italy aren't feeling it as much, hanging around 46% and 40%. 

- And poor Poland, only 35% of its folks are feeling good about democracy. 

On the EU average? It’s hanging at 54%.

Now, when it comes to the whole EU democracy scene, 60% are on board. Interestingly, if you're happy with your own country's democracy, you might be a bit skeptical about the EU. Like in Poland, 70% dig the EU's democracy but aren't as hyped about their own.

 

What Makes Democracy Cool?

EU citizens seem to agree: Rule of law is king! Most of them, rating a whopping 9.1 out of 10, want their governments to follow the rules. Fair treatment in courts? Another biggie, scoring a 9 out of 10. And, of course, free speech, proper elections, and accepting results are all high up there on the list.

 

How’s the EU Handling the Virus?

So, when asked about their trust in their country's COVID game, on average, 58% of folks think their country's doing alright. But here's the plot twist: some countries are vibing with the EU's handling more than their own.

 

Election Fever's Rising

Upcoming EU elections? 56% are tuned in, which is a 6% rise from last time. If they had to vote tomorrow? 67% say they're in. Looks like the voting booths will be poppin'!

 

The Ups and Downs of Democracy Feels

Over the past ten years, countries like Lithuania, Hungary, and Poland have seen their democracy satisfaction soar. For instance, Lithuania went from a meh 35% to a cool 60%. Some countries, though, like Greece and France, are feeling a bit blue about democracy.

 

Elected Peeps – Yay or Nay?

The general feel? Many believe elected officials don’t really get them. Sweden's the happy outlier where folks believe their leaders have their backs. But in places like Greece and Italy democracy's having a tough time getting love.

 

Big Questions: Who Benefits and Does My Vote Count?

Is the state for everyone? Opinions are split. Slovakia’s saying a big “YES” with 88%, while Bulgaria’s on the fence with 24%. But, and here’s the good news, most believe voting gives them a say. Spain and Sweden lead with 80%, and even the lowest, Hungary, stands at 51%.

 

To Wrap It Up

So, this massive EU survey? It's a mixed bag. Some countries are giving democracy a big thumbs up, while others...not so much. But, there's hope! By listening to what the people want (like rule of law and fairness), the EU might just turn those frowns upside down. Let’s keep the conversation going and make democracy the coolest club in town!