Majority of Europeans have no confidence in the EU

Brussels – Once upon a time, there was the European Union, a project in which citizens believe less and less. The latest Eurobarometer survey on public opinion in the EU confirms the end of the dream of integration and a brutal fact: the majority of men and women in Europe are euro-critical, if not euro-sceptical. This lack of euro-enthusiasm stems from a simple question: “How much confidence do you have in the European Union?” Regarding this question, 48 per cent of respondents offer a positive answer, indicating a tendency to trust the EU. It means that 52 per cent show distrust or indifference. 

There are two elements to be noted in this specific question: the first is that appreciation for the EU has fallen by four percentage points since the spring (March/April), thus recording the disappearance of the pro-EU majority, and that the index of lower trust in the EU is recorded in three of the six Founding countries (France, Belgium, and Italy). In the other founding states, trust either decreases (in the Netherlands and Germany) or remains unchanged (in Luxembourg).

A possible reason for this disaffection could be explained by the political choices made in Brussels. When asked what the common European budget should mainly be used for, the first choices of EU citizens are “labour, social affairs and health” and “education and training”, which are certainly not the European Commission’s number one priorities. Thus, a disconnect seems to be emerging between what those who preside over the EU institutions think is most important to Europeans and what really matters to citizens. 

What is certain is that Europeans do not feel secure. Only 46 per cent consider the economic situation to be favourable, while another 46 per cent see it as negative. Barely three out of ten Europeans (31 per cent) think that things will improve in the next 12 months. Almost half of EU citizens (46 per cent) believe that the situation will not change, it will remain exactly the same. Added to this are those (19 per cent) who instead fear that a year from now the situation will get worse. In short, Europeans distrust the European Union.