Are Europeans really democrats?

only a third of Europeans believe that their country is governed democratically, and only 20% are satisfied with the way the political system works. This is a sign of a crisis in representation.

Demonstrators hold a banner reading: "Withdrawal of this unfair pension reform" during a protest march in Bayonne, southwestern France, in January against government plans to push back France's retirement age. A survey found that 40% of French people are exclusive democrats. Photo: AP/Robert Edme

In France, the year 2022 saw the government repeatedly resort to Article 49.3 of the constitution to force unpopular reforms through parliament. The date of 16 March, in particular, marked the 100th time under France’s Fifth Republic that the executive chose to use these special powers. 

With this in mind, many French people now perceive their political system as undemocratic. Elsewhere in Europe, several countries have gone on to develop more or less authoritarian political systems over the past two decades, notably Poland and Hungary. In almost every country on the continent, far-right parties are gaining momentum.