It would seem that, at least in one respect, this year's election campaign in Germany is one of the most successful in the country's history. According to a survey conducted by R+V -- a domestic insurance company -- Germans are more relaxed than ever about the performance of politicians.

The survey, titled "Fears of the Germans," canvasses the Angst of 2,500 people each year. This year's poll indicates that only 45 percent of Germans are scared that politicians are not up to the task of representing their interests. That's 10 percentage points lower than last year's figure of 55 percent.

"It's surprising, especially because the percentage usually increases in the run-up to the general election," said Rita Jakli, head of information at the insurance company, at a Berlin press conference on Thursday. Indeed, data collected during previous election cycles shows that the number of people fearful about the competence of politicians rose by five percent in 2005 and four percent in 2009.

Political scientist Manfred Schmidt, who was involved in conducting the research, pointed to growing confidence in the German economy as a reason for the lenience towards politicians. "When fears about a worsening economic climate abate, worries about overtaxed politicians also decrease," he says.

The survey shows that Germans are more relaxed across the board this year. For the first time since the study was initially conducted just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, citizens in former East Germany are just as optimistic as their West German counterparts.