Just over half in Germany see US democracy as seriously endangered or no longer functioning

Ahead of the congressional election, a majority in Germany sees democracy in the US under pressure. That is the finding of a survey by YouGov. 2,202 eligible voters in Germany aged 18 and over were surveyed online from 16 to 19 October 2026. YouGov published the results on 29 October.

Democracy. 40 percent consider democracy in the US seriously endangered and in part no longer functioning. 12 percent think it has by and large stopped functioning. Another 25 percent see it as functioning but endangered. 9 percent say it functions well.

Supporters of the German parties see this differently. 75 percent of Green voters consider it seriously endangered or no longer functioning, as do 68 percent among Die Linke, 60 percent among the SPD, 54 percent among CDU/CSU, and 32 percent among the AfD. Among AfD voters, 27 percent say US democracy functions well.

Image of the US. 29 percent have a favorable opinion of the US, 61 percent an unfavorable one. For China it is 26 to 59 percent, for Russia 16 to 74 percent. Only among AfD voters does the favorable view of the US prevail, at 49 to 40 percent.

Partner or rival. 19 percent see the US as a friend and ally of Germany, 22 percent as a friendly rival. 28 percent consider the US not friendly toward Germany, 11 percent a threat. 39 percent want a closer relationship, 29 percent a less close one.

Mood in the US. 46 percent believe Americans are divided in their attitude toward Trump. 31 percent suspect a majority against him, 10 percent a majority behind him.

YouGov did not ask about the expected or desired outcome of the congressional election. The forecasts for both chambers are on the Senate and House of Representatives pages.