Covid pandemic leaves Europeans more likely to believe conspiracy theories – study

Survey of people in France, Germany, Italy and UK shows high level of belief in conspiracy theories - with mistrust highest in France

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A year of the coronavirus pandemic has left many Europeans markedly more fed up, more pessimistic, more critical of the way their government is handling the crisis - and worryingly prone to believe conspiracy theories, according to a major study.

The survey of nearly 8,000 people across France, Germany, Italy and Britain by the French Cevipof political research centre (pdf) showed widespread levels of belief in coronavirus and vaccine-related conspiracy theories across all four countries surveyed - with mistrust highest in France.