Brussels –The European Union? Italians don’t like it much. Most of the country’s men and women continue to believe that membership in the EU is good, but 31 percent of citizens believe the opposite. A percentage that makes Italy the state with the highest rate of Euro-discontent equal only to that of the Czech Republic. The outcome of the latest Eurobarometer survey, commissioned by the European Parliament and published today (March 25), confirms a well-established fact: the far-from-idyllic relationship between Italians and the EU.
Compared to a year ago, the view of those from north to south who do not see membership in the European Union as good does not change. Some of the undecided — those who could not say whether the EU is good or bad — have made up their mind by saying ‘yes.’ Thus, 4 percent of Italians who move from the category ‘don’t know’ to the category ‘the country has benefited’ from membership status.
The poll, conducted between Jan. 9 and Feb. 4, 2025, finds that security and defense remains the priority. Across the board, 36 percent of EU citizens continue to think this is the main issue that needs to be addressed, with a call for the European Parliament to play a more significant role in peace protection (45 percent, the first choice of respondents) within a more general action of the EU as a whole to protect against global and security crises (66 percent).
Europeans “want the EU to play a greater role in their protection,” stresses the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. “It is a clear call to action to which we will respond. Europe must be stronger so that our citizens feel safer,” she assures.
However, on a closer look, concerns and priorities are changing. Compared to a year ago, the demand for more defense and security decreased (-1 percent), and the demand for a shield to the economic crisis grew (+5 percent), the second most crucial issue seen as fundamental (32 percent). Safeguarding competitiveness, economy, and industry is also the priority for Italians, who put it at the top of their concerns.
Moreover, there is a widespread and growing fear about the possible deterioration in one’s standard of living — in other words, there are fears of personal and family impoverishment. At least one in three (33 percent) Europeans fears this in the next five years. It is a particular worry for the French (53 percent) and Germans (47 percent), who are the most concerned over worsening living standards. Given that we are discussing the top two economies in the euro area and the EU, it is a wake-up call.
