Caritas Frust-O-Mat project reveals high political frustration in Germany

The Caritas interactive opinion portal, known as ‘Frust-O-Mat’, has launched a new edition in Saxony-Anhalt following a previous campaign that recorded 58,000 anonymous entries from mostly young people. The project aims to provide a space for participation by asking users about their feelings, frustrations, and political fears.

Data from the 2024 campaign, conducted ahead of state elections in Brandenburg, Thuringia, and Saxony, revealed an average frustration level of 85 percent. Participants expressed significant concerns regarding the drifting apart of society and the fear that their personal values are no longer shared. Common sentiments included feelings of helplessness against hate as a migrant or queer person, a belief that money governs the world, and criticism of politicians acting populistically to secure re-election.