Majority of East Germans remain distrustful of their government, with a mere 17% expressing confidence.

The German state is facing a wave of criticism and a decline in public trust, according to a recent survey. The findings reveal several areas of concern for the government, with asylum and refugee policy being the most challenging, as perceived by 30% of respondents.

One of the key concerns expressed by the public is the need for clearer allocation of responsibilities among agencies. Fifty-eight percent of respondents have voiced this demand, indicating a desire for a more streamlined and efficient system.

Another significant concern is the lengthy processing times in various sectors. Seventy-nine percent of respondents have expressed a desire for shorter processing times, suggesting a need for improvement in the state's efficiency.

The desire for digital modernization is also evident, with sixty-six percent of respondents calling for more online services. This demand underscores the importance of digital administration in today's world and the need for the new Ministry for Digital and State Modernization to address this issue effectively.

The survey also revealed that three out of four German citizens believe the state is overwhelmed in solving its tasks and problems. This sentiment is reflected in the challenges faced in areas such as social security and pension systems, school and education policy, and tax and financial policy.

Volker Geyer, dbb chairman, has called for a debate on the tasks the state can still fulfill in the future. He has also warned against hostility towards public sector employees, stating that loss of respect can escalate to hate and violence. Thirty percent of citizens have observed public sector employees being hindered, harassed, insulted, or attacked.

The survey results also indicate a record low in trust in the state's ability to act, with a new value of 73%. Supporters of the SPD and Greens have more than 40% trust in the state, while those of the Union and AfD have around 33% each. Interestingly, trust in the state varies significantly between East and West Germany, with only 17% of citizens in Eastern Germany believing the state is capable of fulfilling its tasks, compared to 24% in the West.

Despite these challenges, seventy percent of respondents believe that the change of government will not significantly affect the state's performance. About one in five believes that the current black-red federal government will strengthen the state's performance more than the previous government of SPD, Greens, and FDP.

However, reducing regulations is seen as important by eighty-five percent of respondents, suggesting a need for a more streamlined and efficient state apparatus. This sentiment is reflected in Volker Geyer's emphasis on the need for professional implementation of plans by the Union and SPD.

In conclusion, the survey results highlight several areas of concern for the German state, particularly in the areas of asylum and refugee policy, social security and pension systems, school and education policy, and tax and financial policy. The public is calling for clearer allocation of responsibilities, shorter processing times, more online services, and a reduction in regulations. The new government faces a significant challenge in regaining the trust of the German people and addressing these concerns effectively.