20% of Europeans Say Dictatorship Could Be Better Than Democracy — Survey Reveals Growing Frustration
By Jim Thomas | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 8:31 p.m. EST
A survey conducted in Greece, France, Sweden, the U.K., and Romania late last year found that one in five Europeans believes a dictatorship might be preferable to democracy in certain circumstances. The poll, carried out by AboutPeople and commissioned by Progressive Lab, highlights widespread frustration with how democratic systems function in practice — even as most respondents reject the idea of an unaccountable strongman.
The study, conducted between November 25 and December 16, reveals that 76% of Greeks were dissatisfied with democracy in their country, compared to 68% in France, 66% in Romania, 42% in the U.K., and 32% in Sweden.
The findings coincide with a rise in populist and nationalist movements across Europe. Across all five countries, 22% of respondents indicated that a dictatorship might be preferable to democracy under specific conditions. A larger share — 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.” However, 69% of respondents rejected this proposal.
Dimitris Papadimitriou, a professor of political science at the University of Manchester, noted that “Traditional divisions between European countries are receding and the landscape is becoming more complex.” He added that confidence in liberal democracy does not necessarily align with economic growth in nations like Romania, and trust in institutions has been strained even in wealthier countries such as Sweden.
George Siakas, an assistant professor at Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, stated: “The survey does not express a general dissatisfaction or an uncritical rejection of the democratic system. It expresses citizens’ dissatisfaction with the way it works, with clear anti-elite and ‘anti-establishment’ characteristics.”
The survey also uncovered uneven trust in institutions, with the European Union scoring highest at 43%, followed by media (27%) and political parties (24%). Additionally, a third of respondents disagreed that the rise of far-right movements poses a threat to democracy.
In Greece, 55% of citizens reported not feeling close to their most recent voting party — a figure that trailed Romania (53%), the U.K. (47%), France (43%), and Sweden (32%).
Progressive Lab identifies itself as a think tank focused on connecting research with policy work, while AboutPeople specializes in social and political studies. The study did not disclose sample sizes, weighting methods, or other methodological details.
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana who holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a law degree from U.I.C. Law School. He has practiced law for more than 20 years.
