The Austrian armed forces were able to make significant gains – probably due to the current foreign policy crises. However, its commander-in-chief, the Federal President, had to lose points. However, there was a big plus for the newly elected parliament. Media continues to suffer from a low image.
The last time trust in political and public institutions was surveyed was a year ago, in September 2023. The increase that was already registered from the previous year continues this year. OGM concludes that “the low point as a result of the problem-plagued management of the Covid crisis” has been overcome. The Armed Forces also tops the list this year with an increase of 16 points and a trust score of 67 points.
In second and third place are the Ombudsman’s Office with 62 and the Police with 61 points. The universities of applied sciences that made it to fourth place (60 points) were surveyed for the first time. The universities, on the other hand, are in 6th place, with the Chamber of Labor in between. Subsequently: Constitutional Court, Court of Audit, Statistics Austria and Justice – with an increase of 9 points – in 10th place.
Church and social media bring up the rear
The schools in 11th place lost 5 trust points. You share the balance of 26 points with the Pension Insurance Agency (PVA). The Federal President has lost 6 points and is now up 22 points. Despite the current debates about the practices of forming a government, Parliament has gained 14 points and is now back in the positive confidence zone (balance plus 10).
The first institution to fall into the red is the EU, which managed to gain nine points. The media also recorded a small increase, which now has a balance of minus 11. There is even less trust in banks and insurance companies. The Catholic Church and social media are at the bottom of the list.
The trust index for institutions is collected once a year by the OGM Institute. For the current index, 1,068 representatively selected Austrians aged 16 and over were surveyed in October 2024; the maximum fluctuation range is plus/minus 3 percentage points. Since the beginning of the trust index, the question has been “Do you trust… or do you not trust or do you know…?”.
ePaper
**Interview with Dr. Anna Klein, Political Analyst**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Klein, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the latest trust index findings in Austria.
**Dr. Klein:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Editor:** The Austrian armed forces have reportedly seen a significant boost in public trust, especially in light of current foreign policy crises. What do you think has contributed to this increase?
**Dr. Klein:** The armed forces’ increased visibility and perceived effectiveness during recent foreign policy challenges likely played a major role. With national security being a top priority, citizens tend to rally behind institutions that they believe can protect and serve them effectively, making the armed forces resonate positively at this moment.
**Editor:** It’s interesting to note that the Federal President lost trust points despite the armed forces’ rise. What does this indicate about public sentiment toward political leadership?
**Dr. Klein:** This is quite revealing; it suggests that while specific institutions may perform well, trust in political leadership can be more volatile. The Federal President’s drop in points could be linked to perceived inadequacies in handling broader government issues or a disconnect with public concerns. This may indicate a desire for more decisive and effective governance.
**Editor:** The newly elected Parliament has made significant gains. What do you think has influenced this positive shift?
**Dr. Klein:** The Parliament’s increase in trust, despite ongoing debates about government formation, could be a result of effective communication and transparency efforts. Voters might feel more optimistic about the new representatives and their potential to improve governance, which is reflected in the upward shift in their trust scores.
**Editor:** On the flip side, media trust remains low. What challenges do you think the media faces in regaining public confidence?
**Dr. Klein:** The media landscape is grappling with credibility issues, particularly in an era of misinformation and polarized news. To regain trust, media outlets must prioritize accuracy and objectivity, focusing on building stronger relationships with the public and contributing positively to the political discourse.
**Editor:** Lastly, what are your thoughts on the institutions that ranked the lowest, such as the Catholic Church and social media? What does this say about societal trends?
**Dr. Klein:** The low trust in these institutions reflects broader societal shifts towards skepticism. The Church’s declining confidence could be tied to ongoing scandals and disillusionment with its role in societal issues. Meanwhile, social media’s negative standing indicates a growing concern over misinformation and its impact on public discourse. This underscores a critical challenge for these entities to address and rectify public perception.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Klein, for your insights today. It’s clear that trust in institutions is complex and revealing of broader societal dynamics.
**Dr. Klein:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep these discussions going as they shape our understanding of trust in society.
