Baden-Württemberg's 'Politics of Being Heard' Boosts Trust in Democracy

In Baden-Württemberg, the participatory model termed the 'politics of being heard' has significantly strengthened public trust in democracy, according to the latest Democracy Monitor released on November 4, 2025. Ministerpräsident Winfried Kretschmann introduced this approach to foster increased citizen engagement by ensuring that elected representatives make critical decisions only after robust public dialogue. The survey reveals that 64% of residents support decisions by their representatives following citizen input, while only 9% prefer decisions without such engagement. Overall, 84% of respondents back the politics of being heard, transcending party lines, and an overwhelming 97% believe its continuation under future governments is essential.

This participatory framework, which lies at the heart of Baden-Württemberg's democratic process since 2011, includes structures like the Alliance for Participation and various laws and platforms that facilitate citizen involvement. Despite a general national decline in satisfaction with democracy, the state maintains a higher satisfaction rate of 63% as opposed to the national average of 53% in 2025. The Democracy Monitor yearly gauges public perception, demonstrating that successful dialogue processes directly correlate with trust in political institutions.

The sustained efforts in citizen participation have not only enhanced democratic satisfaction within the state but also gained recognition across Germany and the European Union for their effective model of inclusive governance.