Spain falls in Global Peace ranking as NGO claims citizens becoming ‘disenchanted’ with political institutions

SPANISH citizens are losing faith in government and political institutions, according to an NGO which claimed the country is becoming less peaceful as a result.

The Institute for Economics and Peace’s (IEP) Global Peace Index ranked Spain 32, a fall of three places compared to a year ago. Spain came 21st in Europe and its overall level of peace is still classed as high.

Iceland was the most peaceful country while Afghanistan came last. Britain came 45th, up five places on last year.

Steve Killelea, head of IEP, told Spanish media that economic hardship unleashed following the 2008 recession and successive corruption scandals have bred ‘disenchantment’ with political institutions.

The ranking scores countries based on factors including well-being, confidence in election results, corruption and the acceptance of the rights of others.

A report released alongside the ranking stated that the amount of Spanish people who felt they were free to choose how to live their lives fell.

Trust in elections was also found to have fallen, along with respect for the rights of others.

Global peace overall has improved for the first time in five years, according to the report.

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Joe Gerrard

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