Hungarians least happy democrats in the region

Hungarians are the most discontented with democracy among all Eastern Europeans, according to a survey by the American Pew Research Center conducted last autumn.

Older generations feel nostalgia for the communist era, while younger ones are much more individualistic and open to free-market capitalism, the survey found.

In all, 62% of Hungarians under 40 years old and 51% of those over 40 support the multi-party democratic system, but only 50% of the younger people and 43% of the older generation back free-market capitalism, putting Hungary second only to Ukraine in its disillusionment.

Most see the economy as worse than during communism, a view expressed by 63% of the younger group and 77% of those over 40.

Both age groups are unhappy with the functioning of democracy, with discontent as high as in Ukraine and Bulgaria.

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