CENSIS, a prominent think-tank in Italy, which publishes every year a report on the social situation of the nation, has published the following report in its 2024 issue:
71.4% of Italians believe that the EU is destined to breakdown without radical reforms; 68% think that liberal democracies do not work any more; 66.3% think that the West (USA in primis) is responsible for the conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East; only 31.6% agree with boosting military expenses to 2% GDP as requested by NATO.
New NATO secretary Rutte asked for “more than the 2%” on Dec. 13 at the Carnegie Europe center in Brussels….
In Germany, a new ARD (1st national public TV) Deutschlandtrend opinion poll reveals that all of the four chancellor candidates for the early German election are rejected by a great majority: Friedrich Merz (Christian Democrat) is rejected by 60%, only 28% think he would be a good chancellor. Robert Habeck (Greens) is rejected by 64%, only 27% support him; outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrat) is rejected by 75%, only 19% support him; Alice Weidel (Alternative for Germany, AfD) is rejected by 71%, supported by only 17%.
This is evidence of a profound non-confidence of voters on the established political party leaders. In terms of party ratings, the poll sees the Christian Democrats in the lead with 33%, followed by the Alternative for Germany with 19%, the Social Democrats and the Greens with 14% each. Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) is placed at 5%, Free Democrats and Linke at 3% each.
