welt.de
German Anxiety Soars Ahead of 2025
A recent survey reveals that 63% of Germans are anxious about 2025, a significant increase from 59% in 2024, driven by global challenges, economic uncertainty, and dissatisfaction with the government's crisis management.
- What are the long-term implications of this widespread anxiety for German society and its political landscape?
- The persistent anxiety, despite a slight decrease in personal economic worry (from 61% in 2023 to 52% in 2025), suggests deeper-seated concerns about societal stability and the government's ability to address long-term challenges. This could lead to further political instability and social unrest.
- How does the declining public approval of the government's crisis management contribute to the prevailing anxiety?
- The rise in anxiety is linked to growing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of crises, with approval dropping from 65% in 2020 to 23% in 2025. Concerns about social inequality, housing shortages, and economic conditions further contribute to this negative sentiment.
- What is the primary reason for the increase in anxiety among Germans as they enter 2025, and what are the immediate societal consequences?
- Germans enter 2025 with increased anxiety, with 63% of respondents in a recent survey expressing apprehension, up from 59% last year. This anxiety reflects concerns over global challenges like war, climate change, economic uncertainty, and inflation.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the negative aspects of the situation. The headline (if one existed, it's not provided) would likely highlight the anxieties and fears. The introductory sentences immediately establish a tone of worry and concern. The sequencing of information, placing the high percentage of anxious citizens before mentioning the more hopeful ones, further enhances this negative framing. This could lead readers to perceive the situation as far more dire than a balanced presentation might suggest.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but the repeated use of words like "Sorgen" (worries), "Ängste" (fears), and "angstvoll" (fearful) contributes to the overall negative tone. While these words accurately reflect the survey results, their frequent use reinforces a sense of pessimism. More neutral phrasing could include variations like 'concerns' instead of 'fears' in certain contexts to achieve a more balanced representation.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the anxieties of Germans regarding the new year, but omits potential positive perspectives or counter-arguments. While it mentions that almost half of respondents are hopeful, this is presented after a lengthy discussion of anxieties, potentially downplaying the positive sentiment. The article also doesn't explore potential solutions or government initiatives aimed at addressing the concerns raised.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present a false dichotomy, but by heavily emphasizing anxieties and concerns, it might implicitly create a sense of a bleak outlook, neglecting nuances and the potential for positive developments. The focus on negative sentiments overshadows the presence of hope mentioned later.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights growing concerns among Germans about the widening social gap between rich and poor, contributing to a negative impact on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The rising cost of living and fear of losing wealth exacerbate existing inequalities, hindering progress towards a more equitable society.