A growing share of Italians believes that strong, centralized authority - not representative democracy - best fits the current era. According to the latest Censis Report, 30% of Italians view autocratic systems as the most effective form of government today. Confidence levels in global strongmen reflect this sentiment: 16.3% express trust in Donald Trump, 12.8% in Vladimir Putin, 12.4% in Viktor Orbán, 11% in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and 13.9% in Xi Jinping.
The report paints a picture of widespread disillusionment at home. Seventy-two percent of Italians no longer trust political parties, their leaders, or Parliament. Sixty-three percent feel that the country has lost any shared collective dream. Yet one figure stands out positively: Pope Leo XIV enjoys the confidence of 60.7% of the public. Behind him come Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, France’s Emmanuel Macron, the U.K.’s Keir Starmer, and Brazil’s Lula, all with far lower ratings.
Europe itself fares poorly: 62% of Italians say they do not trust the EU, believing it lacks influence on the global stage. Over half fear the bloc is becoming irrelevant in a world dominated by force rather than institutions.
The report also highlights long-term economic strain. Between early 2011 and early 2025, Italian households saw their real wealth fall by 8.5%. As incomes declined, trust in democratic institutions eroded as well. The Censis Report depicts a country worn down by economic stagnation, demographic decline, and fading optimism.