Just 20.5% of citizens express high or moderate satisfaction with how democracy functions, the latest survey from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) finds, setting a new low for confidence in Spain’s democratic system. The data, released on Monday, shows that over half of respondents, 56.9%, are either “not very” or “not at all” satisfied with the current state of the system. These figures remain largely unchanged from the previous CIS survey in April 2025, though positive sentiment has edged up slightly for 2026.
Despite widespread dissatisfaction, support for democracy remains strong: 80.8% of those surveyed believe it is preferable to any other form of government. But, 8.8% say that an authoritarian regime could be better under certain circumstances, while 8.3% are indifferent to the type of government. Age plays a role in these attitudes. While those over 35 overwhelmingly favor democracy, a impressive share of younger adults, 14.8% of 18-24-year-olds and 19.3% of 25-34-year-olds, would consider an authoritarian system depending on the situation.
Political leanings also shape these views. Among Vox voters, 29.4% see an authoritarian government as sometimes preferable, compared with 10.8% of Partido Popular (PP) voters. The figure among Junts supporters is 10.2%. The CIS, led by José Félix Tezanos, also asked what changes citizens believe are needed to improve democracy. The top demand, cited by 12.5%, is “effective measures against corruption.” A total of 87.5% feel current anti-corruption mechanisms are insufficient.
The second most requested reform is the “renewal and depoliticization of the judiciary and effective separation of powers,” mentioned by 10.4% of respondents. Concerns about the justice system’s impartiality are widespread: 76.9% believe the judiciary is not neutral in cases involving political parties, and 88.8% think politicians are treated differently from ordinary citizens. Asked about the influence of wealth on judicial outcomes, 78.4% say the rich and poor receive unequal treatment, while only 21% believe money does not affect justice.
Among public institutions, the Armed Forces are the most trusted, scoring 6.96 out of 10, the only institution to surpass the halfway mark. Regional governments come next, though they fall short of a passing grade. Courts and the media rank next, followed by the Constitutional Court and national parliament. Political parties remain at the bottom: just 0.7% of citizens have “total confidence” in them, while 28.3% express “no confidence at all.” Nevertheless, three out of four Spaniards agree that democracy cannot exist without political parties, and nine out of ten see a need for more or better ways for citizens to participate in political decisions.
Separate scrutiny of the CIS’s election polling has focused on transparency and statutory disclosure, not these findings on attitudes toward democracy. On 22 October 2026, Spain’s Junta Electoral Basic (JEC) concluded that the CIS had violated electoral law by failing to provide the PP with requested data from its October barometer within the 48-hour period set out in Article 69.8 of the LOREG. The JEC instructed the CIS to provide the information as soon as possible and not repeat the conduct, but declined to open disciplinary proceedings against Tezanos. The decision concerned access to election-poll data and did not invalidate the barometer. The October estimate put the PSOE at 34%. It gave the PP 22.2%, while Vox stood at 17.1%, ahead of the 29 November general election. Other polling organizations produced substantially different estimates, as reported by El Español, El Debate and Demócrata.
Media credibility is also under scrutiny. Information from the CIS, 81.5% of respondents believe the media often spread falsehoods and rumors. More than half, 52%, feel diverse opinions are not adequately represented, and 87.9% think the media favor certain political or economic interests. These findings echo broader concerns about institutional trust and transparency, also raised in recent judicial and political controversies. Debates about accountability and standards for public officials have featured in recent months, including coverage of high-profile investigations involving the Guardia Civil and SEPI, issues explored in detail in this recent report on political pressure and judicial cases in Spain.
Spain’s concerns over corruption and the impartiality of its institutions reflect a wider European trend, as political polarization and high-profile scandals test public trust in democratic systems. The CIS survey points to calls for reforms to address corruption and strengthen the separation of powers. Demands for greater transparency and citizen participation are likely to remain at the forefront of Spain’s national conversation.
