In an increasingly unstable international context, the great concern of Europeans is how this map can affect their economic situation: in fact, the two great scourges of citizens are inflation and the current cost of living (42%) and the financial situation (41%)as can be extracted from the Eurobarometer survey published this Thursdaythe first after the elections of June 9. Yes, thirdly alarm appears about how things are developing in the world. Democracy and the rule of law or immigration issues are further down the list (this is a leading issue in the Spanish case, according to the CIS).
Yes, that one The economic situation was precisely the main reason why people who went to vote in the European elections went to the polls.. This is the case, for example, of 46% of Spaniards, who also have the welfare state or health as fundamental elements for voting.
In fact, inflation appears first in 12 European Union countries when citizens are asked. This also refers to those who voted in the last European elections, since the survey this time makes a distinction between those who went to the polls and those who did not. Among those who stayed at home, concerns do not change much.
When asked what issues would have encouraged them to vote, respondents who did not vote in the last elections to the European Parliament also give the most frequent answer to rising prices and the cost of living (46%), also followed by economic situation (36%). Curiously, a different question follows: the abstentionists cite social protection, well-being and access to healthcare as the third most important motivation (25%). Among those who did vote, that issue occupies eighth place.
In such a demanding year for the EU and with decisive elections, the perception of the European Parliament as an institution continues to improve. 42% of citizens claim to have a positive image of Parliament39% have a neutral image and only 18% declare having a negative image. These figures are the most favorable in history; They even slightly exceed the previous maximum of 41% positive image, which occurred last March.
The EU as a whole is also increasing in citizen approval, but more timidly and with important differences between countries. And almost half of citizens view the Union favorably (with an increase of one point compared to March), while 36% remain neutral and 16% say they have a negative image. Among the Member States, the highest appreciation for the EU is recorded in Portugal (75%)Ireland (71%), Sweden (62%) and Lithuania (60%). More than one in five citizens have a negative image of the EU in the Czech Republic (29%), France and Austria (27%) and Greece (24%).
On the other hand, the perceived importance of EU membership has also increased slightly since before the European Parliament elections. Two-thirds of respondents consider their country’s membership of the EU to be importantincluding 21% who consider belonging to be “extremely important.” At this point, 70% of citizens are clear that being part of the Union has benefited their country, and even 26% of those who have a negative image of the EU agree with this statement.
People are more optimistic
However, optimism – except for nuances – seems to be increasing among Europeans. 65% (an increase of four percentage points compared to the last survey) now declare themselves optimistic about the future of the EUincluding 7% (a drop of one point) who are “very optimistic.” In addition, the proportion of people who think their standard of living will worsen in the next five years decreased six percentage points, to 26%. 55% expect their standard of living to remain the same in the next five years, while 16% believe it will increase.
The Eurobarometer concludes, once again, with the focus on abstentionists when talking about (non) participation on 9-J. In this sense, when When asked about the moment in which they decided not to vote, 27% affirm that they never vote. 18% decided to stay home only on election day, the same proportion of respondents decided a few months before (18%). Furthermore, 17% made the decision a few days before and 15% a few weeks before.
The two main reasons for not voting in the last elections to the European Parliament are lack of confidence or discontent with politics in general and lack of interest in politics. Other reasons include the belief that voting has no consequences or changes nothing. This means that genuine political reasons best explain non-participation. More practical reasons such as lack of time, being on vacation or away from home on election day, or health problems play a less important role in explaining abstention. Anti-European attitudes are even less influential in explaining abstention: discontent with the European Parliament is cited by 8% of abstentionists and opposition to the European Union by 4%.
