That citizens show low levels of trust in the justice system has been a consistent finding in opinion polls over recent years. The situation has been worsening, raising serious concerns, since the judicial system — in practice and not just in principle — is one of the key pillars of a functioning democracy.
Polls indicate that the percentage of citizens who trust the judiciary generally ranges between 20% and 30%. These figures rise somewhat in specific cases — such as the investigation into the Tempi train tragedy — yet a significant proportion of the public believes that the judiciary is not independent and is subject to political or economic influence.
According to the latest survey by Metron Analysis, only about 20% of Greeks express confidence in the judicial system. This low level of credibility is attributed to numerous causes and complex factors, identified by both political analysts and experienced pollsters.
The Causes
Among the main reasons often cited — even within the judiciary itself — for the collapse of public trust in the justice system are the following:
- The handling of major politically charged cases, which for various reasons have deeply affected public opinion.
- The Tempi tragedy ranks high on this list, as the judiciary found itself — and still remains — at the center of controversy and political interference in its actions, undermining its credibility.
- The chronic pathologies of the judicial system, particularly the delays in the administration of justice, which test citizens’ patience and expectations for a rule-of-law state capable of delivering fair and timely rulings.
- The toxicity of political confrontation, which often targets institutions currently facing a crisis of confidence — among them the judiciary, which by its nature plays a central role.
- The broader international trend of institutional mistrust, which has also affected Greece, reflecting a deeper crisis in the functioning of liberal democracy at a time when developments move rapidly and citizens feel lost in an increasingly fluid and uncertain environment.
Observers who have closely followed political and judicial developments in recent years note that while the Tempi tragedy and its judicial handling have further shaken public confidence, they merely added to a longstanding sense of frustration among citizens who turn to the courts only to find a system so slow that it ultimately becomes ineffective.
It is no coincidence that the average time for adjudicating cases in Greece remains extremely high compared to the European average — in some instances, up to five times longer — despite significant reforms in recent years aimed at improving the country’s standing from the 146th place it once held in global rankings.
The Consequences
Beyond the internal causes related to the functioning of the judiciary itself, broader factors also play a role. The overall erosion of trust in institutions, the polarized and toxic nature of political discourse, and the anti-systemic behavior of parts of the political class are all cited by judicial officials as key reasons why public confidence in the justice system remains low.
To these, they add the problematic legislative practices of Parliament, which often passes laws of questionable quality, later referred to the courts for interpretation or correction.
In any case, the lack of citizens’ trust in the judiciary represents a serious institutional issue — multifaceted in nature — with direct consequences for both the functioning of democracy and the daily lives of citizens.
