Germany

Germany remains a global anchor of democratic stability, characterized by high levels of transparency, institutional resilience, and a vibrant civil society. Entering mid 2026, the federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has managed to maintain a cohesive working rhythm through a disciplined coalition committee, successfully shifting focus toward economic stabilization and structural reform following the snap elections of 2025. While the state continues to provide a secure environment for long-term investment and political participation, the system faces pressure from the rising popularity of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which was officially designated as a right-wing extremist entity by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. This designation and the subsequent legal challenges highlight the state's active use of militant democracy to protect the constitutional order, though it also sparks intense debate regarding the limits of political competition. Recent surveys, such as the 2026 Berlin Monitor, indicate a slight decline in public satisfaction with democratic practice, with roughly 40 percent of respondents classified as fragile democrats. Nevertheless, the legal framework remains robust, recently enhanced by the State Democracy Promotion Act in Berlin and federal naturalization reforms that have lowered barriers to political rights, ensuring that the core mechanisms of German democracy continue to function at a high level of accountability.