parlemeter - february 2011 european parliament eurobarometer...

Directorate General for Communication Direction C - Relations with citizens Public Opinion Monitoring Unit

Brussels, 16 February 2011.

Parlemeter - February 2011

European Parliament Eurobarometer (EB Parlemeter 74.3)

ANALYTICAL SYNTHESIS

Coverage: UE 27 (26 574 European citizens) Population: Europeans aged 15years and over Methodology: Face-to-face (CAPI) Fieldwork: 25 November - 17 December 2010, carried out by TNS opinion

Introduction ..............................................................................................................................2 I - PERCEPTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ......................................................8

A. Media recall and level of subjective information about the European Parliament...8 1) Media recall...................................................................................................8 2) Level of subjective information ..................................................................12

B. Knowledge of how the European Parliament functions .........................................16 II - THE IMAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND EXPECTATIONS VIS-A-VIS THE INSTITUTION........................................................................................................20

A. The image of the European Parliament ..................................................................20 B. The expected role of the European Parliament .......................................................27

III - THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TODAY AND TOMORROW: POLICIES AND VALUES .................................................................................................................................30

A. Values to defend .....................................................................................................30 B. Policy priorities (Recall of EB 74.1 - Aug/Sept. 2010) ...........................................34

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Eurobarometers used for trends: EB 74.1 "The European and the crisis"

(Recall "Priority policies") Fieldwork: 26 August - 16 September 2010 by TNS opinion

Coverage: 26 635 people interviewed face-to-face. Population: Europeans aged 15 years and over

EB 73 "Parlemeter"

Fieldwork: 29 January - 17 February 2010 par TNS opinion Coverage: 26 671 people interviewed face-to-face. Population: Europeans aged 15 years and over

EB 71 "Parlemeter" Fieldwork: 16 January - 22 February 2009 par TNS opinion Coverage: 26 718 people interviewed face-to-face. Population: Europeans aged 15 years and over

EB 70 "Parlemeter" Fieldwork: 6 October - 6 November 2008 par TNS opinion Coverage: 26 618 people interviewed face-to-face. Population: Europeans aged 15 years and over

EB 68 "Parlemeter" Fieldwork: 22 September - 3 November 2007 par TNS opinion Coverage: 26 768 people interviewed face-to-face. Population: Europeans aged 15 years and over

N.B.: Readers are reminded that survey results are estimates, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews (sample size usually used on a Member State scale), the real percentage, that is to say if the whole population had been interviewed, varies within the following confidence limits: Percentages observed 10% or 90% 20% or 80% 30% or 70% 40% or 60% 50% Margin of error +/-1.9 points +/- 2.5 points +/- 2.7 points +/- 3.0 points +/- 3.1 points

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INTRODUCTION Nine months after the last Parlemeter (January - February 2010) and in view of the 2014 elections, it is necessary to assess the perception that European citizens have of the European Parliament and the policies and values which the institution must defend. The results show a stabilisation of the key indicators, although with a very slight decrease. To better understand the reasons, the evolution of the European environment should also be taken into consideration. The general context The previous Parlemeter had been conducted during a period favourable to the visibility of the European Parliament: upcoming European elections, hearings of the Commissioners appointed that had a strong impact in some Member States and entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. In the political sphere, it is important to remember that, since the survey conducted in early 2010, national elections (legislative or presidential) or regional elections have been held in 14 countries of the EU. The international economic context is still deeply marked by the financial, economic and social crisis. It has now taken on a new dimension, with the difficulties of the euro area and the measures that have resulted, including the establishment of the European Financial Stability Fund and the European stabilisation mechanism. In the last 9 months, the question of solidarity between Member States mobilised thinking on Europe, with public opinion focused on the question: should there be solidarity between Member States? If yes, how far and in what context (European semester, reform of the stability pact, EU Perspective 2020, etc.)? At the same time, the Member States have addressed the crisis with very different rhythms. The latest Eurostat statistics clearly show this. This political and economic environment must therefore be kept in mind when reading the results. Undoubtedly, this political and economic environment played a role in the responses of citizens polled.

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Main trends A legislative activity that is not sufficiently felt by the Europeans as having an impact on their daily lives could be added to the general context described above, although in 2010 important issues for all Europeans have emerged: the protection of airline passenger data (SWIFT), food additives, food labelling, enhanced information for medicines, packet control and financial oversight, hedge funds, the new mobile phone tariff reductions (roaming), etc. As in past surveys, the analysis of the results presented in this note demonstrates that the European averages should be analysed in the light of national results. Indeed, the EU averages are weighted according to the official European population figures published by Eurostat or national statistics institutes. When we observe a variation of the EU27 average between two periods, we should take into consideration the recent developments in each Member State but also the weight that this Member State represents in the overall EU27 average. It should be remembered that the results of the seven most populated Member States accounted for about three quarters of the EU27 average. Before starting the analysis of each result, it is interesting to note a number of common features. In general, we can see that: - men say that they are more aware than women about matters relating to the European

Parliament, - the more affluent social classes have a better knowledge of the European Parliament and

its activities, - The youngest age group says it is the ‘worst informed’, while the 40-54 age group says it

is the ‘best informed’, - Respondents seeking an enhanced role of the European Parliament are those who say they

are the best informed about its activities. However, it is important to note that managers, even if they consider themselves as the best informed category of people, are also those who want the European Parliament to play a less significant role.

A slight decline in ‘media recall’

Six months after the European elections, 62% of the respondents said they had read in the newspapers, seen on the Internet or heard on the radio or television something about the European Parliament. Today, 59% (-3 percentage points) have this media recall as against 39% who do not have it. The difference between the country where the media recall is the strongest and the one where it is the weakest is 36 percentage points. Beyond a quasi stability of the EU average, we observe that media recall tends to slightly decline in 19 of the 27 Member States but to remain the same or increase in the 8 other countries. We should note the sharp increase in Ireland (+17 percentage points), a country which was in a deep financial crisis at the time of the survey.

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Still a limited knowledge of the European Parliament’s activities

At EU27 level, the subjective level of information does not vary significantly. Thus, 28% of the respondents feel well informed about the activities of the European Parliament as against 30% nine months ago (-2 percentage points). Again, this survey reveals strong differences between Member States, reaching 26 percentage points. In the responses by Member State, we observe significant differences between the two surveys, from +10 in Austria to -9 in Spain. More than two thirds (69%, +1) of Europeans continue to feel badly informed about the activities of the European Parliament. The conclusion drawn in the previous survey remains valid: there is no direct link between media recall and knowledge of activities. Thus a recall of media coverage of the European Parliament does not signify a better understanding of the institution’s activities.

A better understanding of the mode of operation of the European Parliament

Today, 42% (+9 compared to EB 68) of Europeans know that their MEPs sit in the European Parliament according to their political affinities. 38% (-6) believe that they sit according to their nationality. At the end of 2007 (EB 68), only 33% gave the correct answer while 44% answered incorrectly. The proportion of correct answers varies greatly between Member States, with differences of up to 35 percentage points between the lowest and the highest score.

Contrasting images of the European Parliament

The image that Europeans have of the European Parliament did not change a lot. The image of the institution is contrasting and large differences can be observed between Member States. As we saw during the previous survey, a certain tendency towards polarisation is confirmed. The answers are more pronounced in one or other direction. In two aspects, the image of the European Parliament is positive: - The Parliament is perceived as ‘democratic’ by 63% of Europeans against 24% who

believe the contrary. However, concerning the item "democratic", the differences between Member States are as much as 43 percentage points.

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- It is considered as "efficient" by 40% against 38% who believe it is ‘inefficient’. Again, the differences between Member States are important and are as much as 42 percentage points among those who consider it as "efficient". In two other aspects, this image is rather negative: - The Parliament is perceived as "dynamic" by 39% of respondents against 42% who

believe the contrary. We note a big difference between the Member States who perceive it as "dynamic", the differences are as much as 52 percentage points.

- Is the European Parliament "listening to European citizens"? 35% of respondents share this opinion while 50% do not share it.

Same observation: 40 percentage points separate the State where the respondents find it the most "listening to European citizens" compared to the one where it is considered as the least.

The European Parliament is not well known:

For 51% of the respondents, the Parliament is "not well known", against 41% who consider it as "well known" with a difference between Member states reaching 41 percentage points.

A more important role for the European Parliament

If we refer to the survey conducted nine months ago, the results are quite similar even if the enhanced role of the European Parliament slightly decreases between the two surveys (EB73 January-February 2010): 52% are in favour of an increased role of the European Parliament as against 55% seven months after the European elections. However, comparing this last survey with the one conducted at the end of 2007 (EB68) actually highlights that, as for the image, the opinions on the role of the EP tend to be assertive. It is thus interesting to note the evolution of the following opinions: - three years ago, 48% of respondents were in favour of an enhanced role of the European Parliament (EB 68), reaching a peak of 55% nine months ago (EB73). This is now 52%, i.e. +4 percentage points in 3 years. - the first time this question was asked, 3 years ago, only 12% of Europeans wanted the European Parliament to play a less important role. Today, this is 22%, i.e. +10 percentage points. This is the only item that is increasing in each survey, in a linear way. Again, in this survey, the differences between Member States are very important: they range from 32% to 79%, a difference of 47 percentage points.

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As for the differences between the two surveys among Member States, they can be high. They range from +6 points in Hungary and +5 in Denmark to -11 in Ireland and -10 in Germany.

The fight for values: Europeans always give priority to the protection of human rights

The hierarchy of priorities remains the same as in the previous survey. Protection of human rights is what Europeans want to see defended as a priority by the European Parliament (60%). Equality between men and women and freedom of speech come in second position, as last time, with 36% (=). The only significant change concerns solidarity between Member States of the EU (35%, +5) which comes in 4th position. Is this a consequence of the crisis or not? Is it a concept of the European Union? It is difficult to answer these questions.

The battle against the crisis is at the core of the policy priorities to be led by the European Parliament

The question of priority policies is taken from the previous survey EB/EP (EB 74.1 ‘The Europeans and the crisis’). Since the fieldwork was done two months ago, the results can still be used in this note. They are essential to better understand the expectations of Europeans at the end of 2010, a year which was marked by such an economic, financial and social crisis. The consequences of the economic, social, financial and monetary crisis surely influenced the high increase given to the priority ‘tackling poverty and social exclusion’ (52%, +8 percentage points in 7 months). It remains by far the policy that respondents most want to see defended, followed by ‘consumer protection’ in 2nd position with 33%. However, policies for which the day-to-day impact is less measurable for citizens are sharply down as compared with the previous survey: 26% of Europeans mentioned ‘combating climate change’, which lost 8 points (it goes from 3rd to 6th place) and 23% ‘a security and defence policy’, which lost 7 points. In 4th position, ex aequo with 27% each, come ‘coordinating economic, budget and tax policies’ (+3) and ‘an agricultural policy that is environmentally friendly and contributes to the global food balance’.

***

8

I - PERCEPTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

A. Media recall and level of subjective information about the European Parliament

1) Media recall

QA1 Have you recently read in the press, seen on the Internet or heard on the radio or

television something about the European Parliament? Europeans are still a majority in saying they have heard about the European Parliament in the media (59%), although a slight decrease has been noted in media recall compared with early 2010 (EB/EP 73). The average European trend :

Media recall - EU 27Have you recently read in the press, seen on the Internet or heard on the radio or television something

about the European Parliament?

42% 44%36%

62% 59%54% 53%

60%

37% 39%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

EB 68September - November 2007

EB70October - November 2008

EB 71January - February 2009


EB 74November - December 2010

Yes No DK

EP Elections June 2009

9

EU 27 Socio-demographic analysis:

The areas of the population most exposed to information about the European Parliament in the media are:

Media recall Yes No UE27 59% 39%

Men 64% 34% Sex

Women 55% 43%

15-24 50% 48% 25-39 59% 40% 40-54 64% 34%

Age

55 + 61% 37%

15- 52% 46% 16-19 59% 39% 20+ 70% 29%

Education (end of)

Still studying 53% 45%

Self-employed 69% 30% Managers 73% 26%

Other white collars 59% 40% Manual workers 57% 41% House persons 50% 49% Unemployed 55% 44%

Retired 61% 37%

Respondent occupation scale

Students 53% 45%

Most of the time 49% 49% From time to time 59% 39% Difficulties paying bills

Almost never 62% 36%

Low (1-4)

52% 46%

Medium (5-6)

61% 37% Self-positioning on the

social staircase High

(7-10) 65% 33%

Informed 84% 16% Information on EP's activities Not informed 50% 48%

More important 65% 34% The same 54% 43% Preference for the EP's role

Less important 61% 38% Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3

10

Differences between Member States

Evolution of media recall by Member StateHave you recently read in the press, seen on the Internet or heard on the radio or

television something about the European Parliament?

44%

51%

55%

67%

61%

62%

85%

71%

63%

65%

64%

77%

72%

82%

80%

79%

78%

81%

72%

77%

59%

79%

81%

87%

42%

51%

56%

57%

57%

59%

61%

63%

63%

65%

65%

65%

66%

67%

69%

72%

72%

73%

73%

73%

74%

75%

76%

76%

76%

78%

44%

65%

80%

81%

49%

78%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

FR

UK

IT

DK

CZ

AT

UE27

BG

DE

CY

BE

HU

PL

LU

ES

SE

LV

SK

EE

EL

PT

NL

MT

IE

RO

FI

LT

SI

EB 74

EB 73Responses "Yes"

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Among various other factors, we can consider that the European elections of June 2009 are still fresh in people's memories, although media recall tends to decline in 19 of the 27 member states. In contrast, media recall is increasing in Ireland (+17 points), the United Kingdom (+5). It remains stable in Hungary and Italy.

Significant variations in media recall have been noted in the following countries:

- In Bulgaria, the hearing of Commissioner Jeleva and the subsequent withdrawal of his candidacy on 19 January 2010 drastically increased recall of the European Parliament in the media from 35% in January 2009 (EB71) to 85% in January 2010 (EB73). By a year later, in November-December 2010, this figure had fallen to 61% (-24 points).

- In Sweden, there was a significant decrease in media recall: -13 points, from 82%

(EB73) to 69% in one year (EB74). The high response rate to EB 73 was almost certainly due to the fact that the survey on the ground was conducted right at the end of the Swedish presidency.

- In Ireland, however, due to the country’s economic context, citizens have been more

aware of the European institutions, including the European Parliament. Indeed, media recall of the European Parliament increased by 17 points in one year (from 59% in January 2010 to 76% in November-December 2010). N.B. in January 2009 (EB71) it was only 37%.

- The same was not true of Greece, where media recall saw a decrease of 8 points in

one year (from 81% to 73%). The first half of 2010 in particular shook the country, whereas the second half of the year was quieter.

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2) Level of subjective information

QA2 In general, do you consider that you are very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly informed about the European Parliament's activities? (Answers on a scale basis from 1 to 4)

More than two-thirds of Europeans (69%) still consider themselves "not well informed" about the activities of the European Parliament: The average European trend :

Level of Subjective Infomation - EU 27In general, do you consider that you are very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very baldy informed about

the European Parliament’s activities?

28%

73% 73%69%

2% 3%

30%

23%24%

68%

3% 4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

EB 68Sept. - Nov. 2007

EB70Oct. - Nov. 2008

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2010

Well informed Not well informed DK

Well informed: the sum of "very well informed" and "fairly well informed" Not well informed: the sum of "very badly informed" and "fairly badly informed" After a rise in the number of people who felt they were "well informed" about the European elections of June 2009, we don't see a significant change in the level of information of the European citizens. Note that a direct link cannot be established between media recall and the sense of being informed. Indeed, those who recall media coverage of the European Parliament do not necessarily understand the institution's activities any better.

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Socio-demographic analysis The socio-demographic variables of the survey may shed light on more specific areas of the population who feel poorly informed, and towards whom particular attention could be paid.

Information on European Parliament's activities

Total 'Well informed'

Total 'Badly informed'

UE27 28% 69%

Men 33% 65% Sex

Women 24% 73%

15-24 24% 73% 25-39 28% 70% 40-54 30% 68%

Age

55 + 29% 68%

15- 20% 77% 16-19 28% 69% 20+ 36% 62% Education (end of)

Still studying 27% 70%

Self-employed 36% 62% Managers 41% 57%

Other white collars 31% 66% Manual workers 25% 72% House persons 18% 77%

Unemployed 20% 77%

Retired 29% 68%


Students 27% 70%

(1-4) Left 30% 68%

(5-6) Middle 29% 69% Left-right scale

(7-10) Right 36% 62%

Everyday 33% 65% Often/ Sometimes 30% 68% Internet use

Never 21% 76%

Most of the time 19% 78% Sometimes 27% 70%

Difficulties paying bills

Almost never 32% 66%

More important 33% 65% The same 25% 71%

Preference for the EP's role

Less important 29% 69% Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3

14

Differences between Member States QA2 In general, do you consider that you are very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very

baldy informed about the European Parliament’s activities? [Answers on a scale basis from 1 to 4]

Level of Subjective Infomation - EU 27

21%

23%

23%

24%

25%

25%

28%

28%

29%

29%

30%

30%

30%

30%

31%

31%

33%

33%

34%

34%

37%

40%

41%

42%

43%

43%

45%

79%

75%

74%

76%

75%

73%

74%

69%

71%

68%

68%

70%

70%

70%

68%

68%

69%

64%

66%

65%

59%

62%

59%

56%

55%

53%

54%

52%

19%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ES

FR

RO

SE

LV

CZ

CY

UE27

UK

BG

DE

DK

EL

NL

PT

EE

FI

IT

HU

BE

PL

AT

SI

LT

LU

IE

MT

SK

Well informed DK Not well informed

In general, do you consider that you are very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very baldy informed about the European Parliament’s activities?

Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3

15

Trends between Member States QA2 In general, do you consider that you are very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very

baldy informed about the European Parliament’s activities? [Answers on a scale basis from 1 to 4]

Total 'Well informed' Total 'Badly informed' DK

EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011

DifferenceEB 73 - EB 74

EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011


EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011


AT 27% 37% +10 72% 62% -10 1% 1% =

DK 26% 30% +4 74% 70% -4 0% 0% =

SK 42% 45% +3 57% 52% -5 1% 3% +2

PL 31% 34% +3 62% 59% -3 7% 7% =

UK 25% 28% +3 74% 71% -3 1% 1% =

MT 40% 43% +3 57% 54% -3 3% 3% =

IE 41% 43% +2 55% 53% -2 4% 4% =

IT 32% 33% +1 65% 64% -1 3% 3% =

NL 29% 30% +1 71% 70% -1 0% 0% =

CY 24% 25% +1 74% 74% = 2% 1% -1

PT 30% 30% = 69% 68% -1 1% 2% 1

BE 34% 34% = 65% 65% = 1% 1% =

EU27 UE27 30% 28% -2 68% 69% +1 2% 3% +1

DE 31% 29% -2 67% 68% +1 2% 3% +1

LT 43% 41% -2 55% 56% +1 2% 3% +1

HU 35% 33% -2 65% 66% +1 0% 1% +1

FI 33% 31% -2 67% 69% +2 0% 0% =

EE 34% 31% -3 66% 68% +2 0% 1% +1

LV 27% 24% -3 73% 75% +2 0% 1% +1

RO 26% 23% -3 71% 74% +3 3% 3% =

CZ 29% 25% -4 70% 73% +3 1% 2% +1

EL 34% 30% -4 66% 70% +4 0% 0% =

FR 25% 21% -4 70% 75% +5 5% 4% -1

SE 28% 23% -5 72% 76% +4 0% 1% +1

SI 46% 40% -6 54% 59% +5 0% 1% +1

LU 50% 42% -8 47% 55% +8 3% 3% =

BG 37% 29% -8 59% 68% +9 4% 3% -1

ES 28% 19% -9 72% 79% +7 0% 2% +2 Bien informé(e) : le total de "très bien informé(e)" et "assez bien informé(e) Pas bien informé(e) : le total d' "assez mal informé(e)" et "très mal informé(e)" Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3

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B. Knowledge of how the European Parliament functions

QA4 And, in your opinion, do MEPs sit in the European Parliament according to …

- Their nationality? - Their political affinities?

The average European trend : As in January 2010, the majority of respondents continued to give the right answer. Europeans, however, were not confident in this area.

43% 42%36%33%

23%

28% 20%18%

39%36%

38%44%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

EB68 EB 71 EB73 EB74

And, in your opinion, do MEPs sit in the European Parliament according to …- Their nationality

- Their political affinities

Their nationality

Knowledge of how the EP fonctions - EU 27 Average

Their political affinities

DK


17

Socio-demographic analysis

In your opinion, do MEPs sit in the European Parliament according to…?

Their political affinities

Their nationality

DK

UE27 42% 38% 20% Men 45% 39% 16% Sex

Women 40% 37% 23% 15-24 39% 39% 22% 25-39 42% 41% 17% 40-54 45% 38% 17%

Age

55 + 41% 36% 23% 15- 39% 33% 28%

16-19 42% 39% 19% 20+ 48% 40% 12%

Education (end of)

Still studying 38% 42% 20% Self-employed 41% 44% 15%

Managers 48% 40% 12% Other white collars 40% 45% 15%

Manual workers 43% 37% 20% House persons 38% 40% 22% Unemployed 44% 35% 21%

Retired 43% 33% 24%


Students 38% 42% 20% Informed 50% 41% 9% Information on EP's

activities Not informed 40% 37% 23% More important 46% 41% 13%

The same 35% 41% 24% Preference for the

EP's role Less important 46% 37% 17%

18


Knowledge of how the EP fonctionsAnd, in your opinion, do MEPs sit in the European Parliament according to …

32%

32%

33%

34%

37%

38%

40%

41%

42%

42%

44%

46%

46%

47%

48%

50%

51%

52%

52%

52%

53%

56%

58%

59%

59%

60%

61%

14%

15%

32%

10%

29%

28%

20%

24%

20%

9%

13%

13%

26%

20%

19%

13%

22%

12%

26%

19%

16%

12%

15%

11%

8%

5%

6%

64%

54%

53%

35%

56%

34%

34%

40%

35%

38%

49%

43%

41%

28%

33%

33%

37%

27%

36%

22%

29%

31%

32%

27%

30%

33%

35%

33%

26% 10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

CZ

EL

IT

BG

SK

DE

UK

PL

IE

UE27

HU

AT

LV

MT

ES

FR

LU

LT

DK

CY

RO

PT

FI

SI

EE

SE

BE

NL

Their political affinities DK Their nationality

UE 27


19

Trends between Member States

Their political affinities Their nationality DK Do MEPs sit in the European Parliament according

to…

EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011


EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011


EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011


PT 41% 53% +12 41% 31% -10 18% 16% -2 FR 41% 48% +7 43% 33% -10 16% 19% +3 LV 39% 46% +7 51% 41% -10 10% 13% +3 LT 46% 51% +5 31% 27% -4 23% 22% -1 PL 37% 40% +3 47% 40% -7 16% 20% +4 ES 44% 47% +3 39% 33% -6 17% 20% +3 RO 51% 52% +1 28% 29% +1 21% 19% -2 BE 59% 60% +1 33% 35% +2 8% 5% -3 EE 59% 59% = 30% 30% = 11% 11% =

EU27 43% 42% -1 39% 38% -1 18% 20% +2 MT 48% 46% -2 29% 28% -1 23% 26% +3 NL 63% 61% -2 33% 33% = 4% 6% +2 AT 46% 44% -2 42% 43% +1 12% 13% +1 IT 34% 32% -2 46% 53% +7 20% 15% -5 DE 40% 37% -3 37% 34% -3 23% 29% +6 SK 37% 34% -3 55% 56% +1 8% 10% +2 SE 62% 59% -3 27% 33% +6 11% 8% -3 BG 36% 33% -3 28% 35% +7 36% 32% -4 UK 42% 38% -4 35% 34% -1 23% 28% +5 CZ 30% 26% -4 58% 64% +6 12% 10% -2 EL 37% 32% -5 52% 54% +2 11% 14% +3 DK 58% 52% -6 32% 36% +4 10% 12% +2 IE 47% 41% -6 31% 35% +4 22% 24% +2 LU 56% 50% -6 37% 37% = 7% 13% +6 SI 66% 58% -8 24% 27% +3 10% 15% +5

CY 61% 52% -9 16% 22% +6 23% 26% +3 HU 51% 42% -9 39% 49% +10 10% 9% -1 FI 66% 56% -10 25% 32% +7 9% 12% +3


The European average remained stable but revealed significant variations within Member States between the two surveys:

The change in the level of knowledge about the European Parliament must be

taken into account, not only in the light of the variation in correct answers, but also in wrong answers and DKs. For example, far fewer Portuguese respondents gave the wrong answer than before (-10). We can conclude that their knowledge level has improved significantly.

In Germany and Luxembourg, the results showed a decrease in knowledge:

the number of correct answers fell (DE -3 and LU -6), while the number of incorrect answers fell or remained stable (DE -3 and LU =). In contrast, for both countries, the number of respondents who were undecided rose by 6 points.

20

II - THE IMAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND EXPECTATIONS VIS-A-VIS THE INSTITUTION

A. The image of the European Parliament

The image of the institution was measured using a detailed indicator, created from a list of five words / phrases, which were then submitted to respondents. The respondents were asked whether the words / phrases described well or described badly their image of the European Parliament. The image that citizens had about the European Parliament is contrasting: they were, in fact, often divided on each perceived characteristic. It should be noted that the decline in positive image characteristics showed a stabilisation compared with the previous poll conducted in January- February 2010.

1. The positive characteristics of the image: "Dynamic", "Democratic" and "Listening to European citizens"

European average

35%

63%

39%

64%

40%

38%

"Dynamic"

"Democratic""Listening to European

citizens"

EB 74.3 - Average"describes well" EU 27

EB 73.1 - Average"describes well" EU 27

Describes well: Sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" for each item

Please tell me for each of the following words/ expressions whether it describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of the European Parliament :

Positive statements


European trends Difference

UE 27 EB68 EB70 EB73 EB74 EB73 - EB74

Describes well 45% 44% 40% 39% -1 Describes badly 35% 36% 43% 42% -1 Dynamic

DK 20% 20% 17% 19% +2 Describes well 69% 66% 64% 63% -1 Describes badly 16% 19% 24% 24% = Democratic

DK 15% 15% 12% 13% +1 Describes well 42% 40% 38% 35% -3 Describes badly 41% 43% 49% 50% +1 Listening to European citizens

DK 17% 17% 13% 15% +2

21

1) Dynamic


31%

32%

33%

35%

36%

37%

37%

39%

41%

45%

45%

45%

45%

46%

48%

49%

50%

50%

51%

52%

52%

54%

56%

57%

58%

62%

69%

8%

15%

18%

13%

11%

28%

27%

19%

10%

7%

27%

27%

26%

12%

7%

10%

31%

22%

36%

5%

28%

33%

14%

12%

22%

11%

7%

58%

61%

53%

49%

52%

53%

35%

36%

42%

49%

48%

28%

28%

29%

42%

45%

41%

19%

28%

13%

43%

20%

13%

30%

31%

20%

27%

24%

17% 25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

UK

NL

DE

FR

SE

DK

ES

LV

EU27

AT

BE

EE

IE

PL

LU

FI

CZ

CY

PT

MT

EL

LT

RO

IT

SI

BG

HU

SK

Total 'Describes well' DK Total 'Describes badly'

UE 27

Dynamic describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of theEP.

Describes well : the sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" - Describes badly : sum of "describes fairly badly" and "describes very badly"


Women were more likely than men not to have any opinion on the subject (23% compared with 15%).

Young people were more likely to think that it was dynamic (43%), as were people still studying (45%).

Respondents who stopped studying after they were 20 were most likely to think that the European Parliament was not dynamic (49%). This view was shared by a large number of managers (51%) and respondents using the Internet every day (48%).

Logically, 62% of those who said they were well informed about the European Parliament thought it was dynamic. Some 64% of those who wanted to see the European Parliament play a less significant role thought it was not dynamic.

22

2) Democratic


49%

51%

54%

54%

57%

59%

59%

61%

63%

65%

65%

66%

66%

67%

68%

68%

69%

69%

69%

69%

70%

70%

70%

71%

74%

76%

82%

5%

21%

28%

7%

16%

19%

7%

23%

13%

23%

5%

19%

6%

15%

21%

4%

13%

9%

7%

6%

19%

9%

6%

16%

9%

7%

4%

41%

46%

28%

18%

39%

27%

22%

34%

16%

24%

12%

30%

15%

28%

18%

11%

28%

18%

22%

24%

25%

11%

21%

24%

13%

17%

17%

14%

39% 20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

UK

EL

LV

CY

FI

FR

PT

SI

IE

EU27

MT

AT

LT

NL

EE

RO

BE

ES

IT

CZ

DK

PL

DE

SE

BG

LU

HU

SK


UE 27

Democratic describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of the EP.

Describes well : the sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" Describes badly : the sum of responses "describes fairly badly" and "describes very badly" Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3

Socio-demographic analysis This term is accepted by a large majority in all Member States, with the exception of the

United Kingdom, and in all socio-demographic categories. Respondents who want the European Parliament to play a less significant role have

different views on this image characteristic: 44% think that "democratic" describes badly the institution against 48% who think that it describes it well.

23

3) Listening to European citizens


24%

25%

26%

30%

31%

35%

35%

36%

36%

37%

38%

39%

40%

40%

42%

43%

43%

44%

45%

46%

48%

48%

50%

51%

57%

63%

64%

20%

14%

6%

7%

8%

15%

16%

21%

10%

6%

11%

3%

7%

8%

7%

28%

18%

23%

26%

25%

23%

13%

19%

17%

21%

5%

5%

64%

56%

61%

68%

63%

61%

50%

49%

43%

54%

57%

51%

58%

53%

52%

51%

29%

39%

33%

29%

29%

29%

39%

31%

32%

22%

32%

31%

24% 12%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

DE

UK

FR

EL

NL

AT

EU27

ES

PT

SI

FI

LU

BE

DK

SE

CZ

CY

LV

IE

RO

PL

BG

IT

LT

EE

MT

SK

HU


Listening to European citizens describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of the EP.

Describes well: the sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" Describes badly: the sum of responses "describes fairly badly" and "describes very badly" Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3


Students (44%) and people who consider themselves well informed (51%) were more

likely to think that the European Parliament was listening to citizens.

24

2. The negative characteristics of the image: "Not well known" and "Inefficient"

European average

Image of the European Parliament - Negative statements

41% 8%

44% 7% 49%

51%

EB 73Janv. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2011

Describes badly DK Describes well

Please tell me for each of the following words/ expressions whether it describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of the European Parliament :

Not well known

40% 22%

42% 21% 37%

38%

EB 73Janv. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2011

Inefficient


European trends

Difference UE 27 EB68 EB70 EB73 EB74

EB73 - EB74

Describes badly 33% 37% 44% 41% -3 Describes well 55% 51% 49% 51% +2 Not well known

DK 12% 12% 7% 8% +1 Describes badly 43% 43% 42% 40% -2

Describes well 32% 34% 37% 38% +1 Inefficient

DK 25% 23% 21% 22% +1 Describes well: the sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" Describes badly: the sum of responses "describes fairly badly" and "describes very badly" Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3

25

1) Not well known : Differences between Member States

30%

31%

32%

32%

35%

37%

37%

38%

39%

40%

40%

41%

41%

41%

48%

49%

50%

50%

52%

55%

58%

58%

59%

62%

63%

66%

70%

71%

9%

10%

4%

9%

6%

10%

4%

13%

5%

8%

3%

2%

3%

5%

13%

13%

3%

5%

26%

15%

3%

2%

18%

14%

2%

14%

60%

58%

64%

64%

54%

57%

52%

57%

47%

55%

51%

56%

57%

49%

46%

37%

37%

45%

40%

16%

27%

38%

36%

19%

20%

28%

15%

1%

25% 45%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

RO

FR

LV

FI

NL

UK

IT

ES

DK

BG

DE

EU27

HU

BE

CZ

LU

EE

PL

SE

SI

CY

IE

AT

SK

MT

PT

EL

LT

Total 'Describes badly' DK Total 'Describes well'

UE 27

Not well known describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of the EP.

Describes badly: the sum of responses "describes fairly badly" and "describes very badly" Describes well: the sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3


Managers were most likely to think that the European Parliament was not well known (57%), as well as respondents leaving school after the age of 20. In contrast, self-employed respondents were in fact most likely to think the European Parliament was well known (46%). Among those who wanted the European Parliament to play a less significant role, 55% believe it was not well known.

26

2) Inefficient :


23%

30%

32%

35%

36%

37%

38%

39%

39%

40%

41%

41%

41%

41%

42%

44%

45%

45%

48%

49%

51%

53%

55%

56%

57%

58%

63%

65%

11%

21%

13%

25%

29%

11%

23%

13%

22%

37%

21%

9%

9%

35%

13%

32%

30%

21%

6%

13%

30%

30%

11%

19%

13%

19%

7%

59%

47%

52%

39%

34%

51%

38%

48%

38%

22%

38%

50%

50%

23%

43%

23%

25%

31%

45%

36%

17%

15%

33%

24%

29%

18%

28%

24% 53%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

UK

SE

DE

NL

ES

PT

DK

LV

AT

EU27

RO

FR

EL

FI

CY

SI

IE

PL

EE

BE

CZ

MT

BG

LU

IT

HU

LT

SK

Total 'Describes badly' DK Total 'Describes well'

Inefficient describes very well, fairly well, fairly badly or very badly your perception of the EP.

Describes badly: the sum of responses "describes fairly badly" and "describes very badly" Describes well: the sum of responses "describes very well" and "describes fairly well" Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3


Respondents who thought the European Parliament was inefficient were predominantly managers (45%), people who studied until the age of 20 or longer (44%) and 58% of those who wanted the European Parliament to play a less significant role.

Those who thought the European Parliament was efficient were mainly 15 to 24-year-olds

(46%) and students (47%), self-employed respondents and white collars (all 45%), those who felt well informed about the European Parliament (52%) and those who wanted to see it play a greater role (47%).

27

B. The expected role of the European Parliament

The European trend :

QA5 Would you personnally see the European Parliament play a more important role that

it currently does? More than one in two Europeans wanted to see the European Parliament play a greater role.

The expected role of the European ParliamentWould you personally like to see the European Parliament play a more important or less important role that it

currently does?

52%

22%

16%18%

10%

48%

44%48%

55%

19%

14%

16%

12%

17%

24%22% 22%

14%

18%

9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%






More important Less important The same (Spontaneous) DK

-3

+3

-1

+1

Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3 The majority of Europeans (52%) wanted the European Parliament to play a greater role than it does currently, while only 22% would prefer to see it play a less significant role. 16% of respondents said they did not want to see imminent change. Today, slightly fewer Europeans say they expect the European Parliament to play a greater role (-3 percentage points). In contrast, more respondents want a ‘less significant’ role for the European Parliament (+ 3 percentage points). This is the only item making linear progress with each successive inquiry.

EP Elections June 2009

28


The expected role of the European ParliamentWould you personally like to see the European Parliament play a more important or less

important role that it currently does?

33%

37%

38%

39%

42%

44%

45%

47%

49%

52%

52%

52%

53%

54%

55%

57%

57%

61%

61%

62%

63%

65%

66%

66%

72%

72%

79%

32%

32%

22%

19%

24%

11%

18%

26%

9%

15%

21%

16%

29%

22%

17%

22%

24%

11%

23%

15%

15%

15%

12%

16%

13%

13%

8%

49%

20%

29%

29%

36%

28%

39%

30%

17%

37%

21%

14%

22%

9%

6%

14%

11%

9%

16%

13%

15%

7%

17%

12%

14%

11%

4%

3%

12%

15%

11%

6%

6%

6%

7%

10%

5%

12%

13%

10%

9%

18%

14%

10%

10%

12%

8%

15%

10%

4%

4%

11%

10%

32% 7%

3%

3%

2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

UK

IE

AT

DE

DK

FI

SE

CZ

EE

NL

LV

PL

UE27

SI

BG

PT

IT

LT

FR

HU

LU

MT

BE

RO

SK

EL

ES

CY

More important The same (Spontaneous) Less important DK

UE 27


The respondents who wanted to see the European Parliament play a greater role were

mostly 15 to 24-year-olds (58%), still studying (59%) or those who had studied for a long time (57%). They are also those who felt "well informed" about the activities of the European Parliament (60%).

29

Trends between Member States

More important The same

(SPONTANEOUS) Less important DK

Role EB 73

January -

February 2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011

Diff.EB 73 - EB 74

EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011

Diff.EB 73 - EB 74

EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011

Diff. EB 73 - EB 74

EB 73 January

- February

2010

EB 74 November

- December

2011

Dif.EB 73 - EB 74

HU 55% 61% +6 24% 23% -1 17% 13% -4 4% 3% -1 DK 34% 39% +5 24% 19% -5 36% 36% = 6% 6% = RO 63% 66% +3 14% 12% -2 12% 12% = 11% 10% -1 BE 62% 65% +3 20% 15% -5 15% 17% +2 3% 3% = SI 51% 53% +2 30% 29% -1 12% 9% -3 7% 9% +2 FI 41% 42% +1 21% 24% +3 33% 28% -5 5% 6% +1 LU 61% 62% +1 17% 15% -2 17% 15% -2 5% 8% +3 PL 51% 52% +1 22% 21% -1 14% 14% = 13% 13% = IT 56% 57% +1 24% 22% -2 12% 11% -1 8% 10% +2 AT 37% 37% = 33% 32% -1 28% 29% +1 2% 2% = LT 57% 57% = 24% 24% = 8% 9% +1 11% 10% -1 ES 73% 72% -1 13% 13% = 5% 4% -1 9% 11% +2 FR 62% 61% -1 12% 11% -1 12% 16% +4 14% 12% -2 MT 65% 63% -2 18% 15% -3 7% 7% = 10% 15% +5 EE 49% 47% -2 27% 26% -1 15% 17% +2 9% 10% +1 SE 46% 44% -2 12% 11% -1 34% 39% +5 8% 6% -2 CY 82% 79% -3 9% 8% -1 3% 3% = 6% 10% +4

EU27 55% 52% -3 17% 16% -1 19% 22% +3 9% 10% +1 PT 61% 55% -6 20% 17% -3 8% 14% +6 11% 14% +3 NL 55% 49% -6 11% 9% -2 30% 37% +7 4% 5% +1 SK 74% 66% -8 10% 16% +6 14% 14% = 2% 4% +2 BG 62% 54% -8 20% 22% +2 6% 6% = 12% 18% +6 LV 60% 52% -8 14% 15% +1 19% 21% +2 7% 12% +5 UK 40% 32% -8 6% 7% +1 43% 49% +6 11% 12% +1 CZ 53% 45% -8 18% 18% = 22% 30% +8 7% 7% = EL 80% 72% -8 11% 13% +2 7% 11% +4 2% 4% +2 DE 48% 38% -10 20% 22% +2 22% 29% +7 10% 11% +1 IE 44% 33% -11 31% 32% +1 12% 20% +8 13% 15% +2

In 9 out of 27 Member States, there was an increase in the number of respondents who

wanted to see the European Parliament play a greater role, including in Hungary (61%, +6), Denmark (39%, +5), Romania (66%, +3) and Belgium (65%, +3).

In contrast, more respondents wanted the European Parliament to play a less significant

role in 14 out of 27 Member States. We noted an increase of 8 points in Czech Republic (30%) and Ireland (20%), 7 points in Germany (29%) and the Netherlands (37%), and 6 points in Portugal (14%) and the United Kingdom (49%).

30

III - THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TODAY AND TOMORROW: POLICIES AND VALUES

A. Values to defend

QA6 In your opinion, which of the following values should the European Parliament

defend as a matter of priority? [Respondents had the possibility of giving up to 3 answers]

European average

Values to be defended

15%

23%

27%

30%

36%

36%

62%

16%

22%

25%

35%

36%

36%

60%

21%

22%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

The abolition of the death penaltythroughout the world

The protection of minorities

The dialogue between cultures andreligions

Solidarity between the EU and poorcountries in the world

Solidarity between EU Member States

Equality between men and women

Freedom of speech

The protection of human rights

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2010

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

In your opinion, which of the following values should the European parliament defend as matter of prioriry (Max . 3 answers)

(-2)

(=)

(=)

(+5)

(-2)

(-1)

(+1)

(+1)

Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3 - Maximum 3 answers It was apparent that 24 percentage points separated the answer most often cited – ‘protection of human rights’ at 60% – from the following two: ‘gender equality’ and ‘freedom of expression’, coming to 36%. Given the economic and social crisis, there was an increase in ‘solidarity between EU Member States’ (+5), less cited since October-November 2008, and a small decrease in ‘solidarity between the EU and poor countries across the world’ (-2).

31

European trend

Values to be defended

60%

33%35%

25%23%

22%22%

16%

62%

57%

53%

58%

36% 36%

31%

41%

30%

36%

30%

36%

32%

27%27%

28%

24%26%

28%

22%20%

21%

27%

15%15%16%17%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%






The protection of human rights Equality between men and women

Freedom of speech Solidarity between EU Member States

Solidarity between the EU and poor countries in the world The dialogue between cultures and religions

The protection of minorities The abolition of the death penalty throughout the world

In your opinion, which of the following values should the European parliament defend as matter of prioriry (Max . 3 answers)

Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3 - Maximum 3 answers

32

Differences between Member States for the top 3 values to promote

1) The protection of human rights

Differences between Member States for the first value to be defended : The protection of human rights

81%

73%

64% 68

% 73%

68%

68%

68%

69%

64% 66

%

66%

63%

59%

56% 60

% 65%

60% 64

%

62%

64%

63%

53%

53%

53%

53%

53%

51%

85%

73%

72%

69%

68%

68%

68%

68%

66%

64%

63%

63%

62%

62%

62%

62%

61%

60%

59%

55%

53%

51%

50%

47%

47%

54%

66%

74%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

CY LT SI HU DE SE FI CZ BG SK EE PL IE LV ES AT NL EL DK UE27 RO FR BE MT UK IT LU PT

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2010

2) Freedom of speech

Second value to defend in priority : Freedom of speech

56%

53% 55

%

48%

58%

47%

38%

48%

39%

30%

31%

40%

29%

36%

31% 33

%

31%

32%

29%

30%

26%

27% 31

%

28% 30

%

23% 26

%

18%

55%

51%

49%

49%

45%

43%

40%

39%

37%

37%

36%

36%

36%

36%

35%

34%

33%

31%

30%

30%

27%

26%

22%

22%

22%

29%

38%

54%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

NL UK SE FI DK FR EE BE IE EL SI LT LU UE27 LV CZ CY SK ES PL IT RO AT HU MT PT DE BG

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2010

3) Equality between men and women

Third value to defend in priority: Equality between men and women

51%

44%

41% 45

%

42%

50%

43% 46

%

36%

43%

40%

40%

34%

33%

34%

34%

32%

33%

27%

27%

24%

20%

25%

16%

54%

47%

45%

43%

43%

42%

39%

39%

37%

37%

36%

35%

34%

34%

34%

33%

33%

32%

30%

30%

29%

27%

27%

25%

23%

21%

20%

15%

51%

34%

31%

27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

FR SE IE BE ES AT LU NL MT SI UE27 CY DK RO FI DE UK PT CZ HU PL IT SK EE LT EL BG LV

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2010

33

4) Solidarity between EU Member States

Fifth value to defend in priority: Solidarity between EU Member States

67%

45%

52%

46%

31%

45%

40%

41%

30%

25% 30

%

31% 36

%

35%

30%

37%

35%

33%

29%

26%

23% 29

%

18%

16%

59%

56%

49%

47%

44%

43%

43%

42%

38%

38%

37%

37%

37%

37%

36%

35%

35%

35%

34%

33%

31%

30%

30%

30%

29%

28%

26%

17%

56%

38%

23%

20%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

BG EL SK CZ CY DE HU RO SI EE BE NL PL LT IT AT UE27 LV LU PT IE FR ES MT FI DK SE UK

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Nov. - Dec. 2010

Differences between Member States for all the values that the European Parliament should defend as a matter of priority

EB/PE 74

The protection of human

rights

(1)

Freedom of speech

(2)

Equality between men and women

(2')

Solidarity between EU

Member States (4)

Solidarity between the EU and poor countries in the world

(5)

The dialogue between

cultures and religions

(6)

The protection

of minorities

(6')

The abolition of

the death penalty

throughout the world

(7)

UE27 60% 36% 36% 35% 25% 22% 22% 16% BE 54% 40% 43% 37% 25% 19% 27% 17% BG 68% 22% 20% 59% 32% 27% 16% 4% CZ 68% 36% 30% 47% 25% 13% 12% 8% DK 61% 49% 34% 28% 31% 44% 18% 19% DE 69% 22% 33% 43% 25% 28% 25% 22% EE 66% 43% 25% 38% 21% 26% 25% 5% IE 63% 39% 45% 31% 22% 16% 33% 15% EL 62% 38% 21% 56% 35% 15% 19% 16% ES 62% 33% 43% 30% 27% 14% 19% 14% FR 55% 45% 54% 30% 29% 21% 21% 19% IT 50% 30% 27% 36% 28% 23% 28% 20% CY 85% 35% 35% 44% 42% 15% 20% 12% LV 63% 36% 15% 35% 22% 17% 17% 5% LT 74% 37% 23% 37% 22% 13% 11% 5% LU 47% 36% 39% 34% 33% 26% 31% 16% HU 72% 27% 30% 43% 28% 20% 22% 7% MT 53% 26% 37% 30% 31% 21% 38% 9% NL 62% 55% 39% 37% 18% 26% 25% 12% AT 62% 29% 42% 35% 24% 17% 24% 34% PL 64% 31% 29% 37% 23% 17% 13% 11% PT 47% 22% 32% 33% 38% 20% 30% 19% RO 59% 30% 34% 42% 25% 18% 22% 12% SI 73% 37% 37% 38% 23% 22% 13% 16% SK 66% 34% 27% 49% 26% 19% 15% 12% FI 68% 49% 34% 29% 24% 20% 30% 18% SE 68% 51% 47% 26% 32% 27% 20% 19% UK 51% 54% 33% 17% 17% 24% 21% 9%

Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.3 - Maximum 3 answers

34

B. Policy priorities (Recall of EB 74.11)

The European average

QA7 The European Parliament promotes the development of certain policies at a

European Union level. In your opinion, which of the following policies should be given priority?

[The respondents had the possibility to give maximum 4 answers]

Policy priorities at the UE 27 level

11%

21%

24%

20%

30%

34%

28%

24%

35%

44%

13%

14%

20%

20%

23%

26%

27%

27%

28%

33%

52%

34%

13%

17%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

The assertion of a European social model

A research and development (R&D) policy that ensures competitiveness and innovation

A foreign policy that enables the EU to speak with one voice on the international stage

A common energy policy intended to ensure the EU’s energy independence

An immigration policy implemented in consultation with countries of origin

A security and defence policy that enables the EU to face up to international crisis

Combating climate change

An agricultural policy that is environmentally friendly and contributes to the global food balance

Coordinating economic, budget and tax policies

Combating terrorism while respecting individual freedoms

Improving consumer and public health protection

Tackling poverty and social exclusion

EB 74Aug - Sept. 2010EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

The European Parliament promotes the development of certain policies at a European Union level. In your opinion, which of the following policies should be given priority?

(Max. 4 answers))

(-2)

(-6)

(+3)

(-1)

(-8)

(-7)

(=)

(-4)

(-4)

(+1)

(+2)

(+8)

NB Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.1 - Maximum 4 answers

1 EB 74.1 Fieldwork : 26 August - 16 September 2010 by TNS opinion Coverage: 26 635 people interviewed face-to-face. Population : Europeans aged 15 years and over

35

Differences between Member States for the top 3 priority policies 1) Tackling poverty and social exclusion

1st policy priorities at the UE 27 levelTackling poverty and social exclusion

41%

56%

43%

52%

52%

46%

40% 44

% 48%

39%

53%

36%

44%

40%

41%

49%

38%

48%

36%

43% 48

%

42% 44

%

36%

68%

64%

62%

61%

60%

60%

57%

56%

56%

56%

55%

54%

54%

53%

52%

51%

51%

50%

50%

50%

49%

48%

48%

47%

45%

43%

40%

37%

36%

43%

52%

52%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

EL PT LT ES BE FI FR BG DE HU PL CY LV SI EU27 CZ IE AT RO SE LU EE NL SK DK UK IT MT

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010

EB 74Aug - Sept. 2010

2) Improving consumer and public health protection 2nd policy priorities at the UE 27 level

Improving consumer and public health protection

62%

45%

60%

45%

36%

49%

33% 38

% 42%

32% 35

%

36%

36%

34%

28%

35%

36%

34%

30% 35

%

30%

36%

35%

21%

74%

48%

48%

47%

43%

41%

41%

39%

37%

37%

36%

35%

35%

35%

35%

34%

33%

33%

33%

33%

32%

31%

30%

30%

27%

23%

22%

21%25

%

32%

37%

49%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

CY EL BG MT IE PL RO SK LT SI FR FI CZ AT NL BE HU EU27 EE IT LV PT DE DK ES LU UK SE

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010


3) Combating terrorism while respecting individual freedoms

3rd policy priorities at the UE 27 levelCombating terrorism while respecting individual freedoms

47%

44%

39%

46%

36%

34%

33% 35

%

32%

37%

34%

30%

25%

33%

27%

27% 29

%

22%

32%

32%

23%

21%

22%

17%

43%

42%

41%

33%

33%

32%

31%

31%

30%

29%

29%

29%

28%

27%

26%

23%

22%

22%

22%

21%

20%

20%

17%

15%

14%

14%

14%

13%

19%

31%

42%

53%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

NL DK CY SK UK SE BE DE FR BG CZ ES EU27 IE LU EL PL AT HU FI MT IT PT RO LT SI EE LV

EB 73Jan. - Feb. 2010


Differences between member States for all policies promoted by the European Parliament across the European Union

Tackling poverty and

social exclusion

(1)

Improving consumer and public health

protection (2)

Combating terrorism

while respecting individual freedoms

(3)

An agricultural policy that is

environmentally friendly and

contributes to the global food

balance (4)

Coordinating economic,

budget and tax policies

(4')

Combating climate change

(5)

A security and defence policy that enables the EU to face up to

international crisis (6)

A common energy policy intended to

ensure the EU’s energy

independence (7)

An immigration

policy implemented

in consultation with countries

of origin (7')

A foreign policy for the EU to speak

with one voice on the international

scene (8)

A research and development (R&D) policy that ensures

competitiveness and innovation

(9)

The assertion of a European social model

(10)

UE27 52% 33% 28% 27% 27% 26% 23% 20% 20% 17% 14% 13% BE 60% 34% 31% 26% 27% 34% 17% 21% 33% 16% 17% 16% BG 56% 48% 29% 38% 22% 19% 23% 29% 6% 22% 10% 15% CZ 51% 35% 29% 33% 34% 16% 30% 23% 16% 16% 16% 13% DK 45% 30% 42% 37% 7% 47% 28% 27% 31% 21% 25% 9% DE 56% 30% 31% 22% 35% 36% 23% 27% 26% 20% 13% 18% EE 48% 33% 14% 38% 39% 7% 27% 21% 9% 17% 14% 13% IE 51% 43% 27% 24% 28% 24% 23% 27% 12% 33% 19% 8% EL 68% 48% 23% 32% 28% 28% 21% 21% 15% 19% 21% 15% ES 61% 27% 29% 16% 22% 19% 16% 8% 21% 10% 16% 13% FR 57% 36% 30% 40% 31% 25% 23% 13% 23% 21% 16% 16% IT 40% 33% 20% 19% 24% 18% 26% 20% 23% 20% 18% 12% CY 54% 74% 41% 33% 16% 36% 43% 14% 21% 26% 5% 5% LV 54% 32% 13% 42% 41% 6% 19% 17% 8% 10% 15% 10% LT 62% 37% 14% 18% 48% 12% 15% 30% 7% 8% 14% 10% LU 49% 23% 26% 30% 15% 30% 26% 16% 15% 26% 10% 12% HU 56% 33% 22% 32% 43% 27% 30% 38% 6% 11% 16% 19% MT 37% 47% 20% 14% 12% 30% 25% 23% 17% 19% 16% 4% NL 48% 35% 43% 33% 29% 37% 22% 27% 29% 18% 14% 10% AT 50% 35% 22% 33% 24% 44% 24% 32% 35% 19% 21% 22% PL 55% 41% 22% 26% 24% 16% 19% 22% 7% 12% 13% 11% PT 64% 31% 17% 21% 20% 18% 15% 14% 9% 10% 10% 19% RO 50% 41% 15% 32% 28% 17% 38% 17% 4% 24% 13% 7% SI 53% 37% 14% 34% 36% 42% 14% 24% 7% 17% 20% 24% SK 47% 39% 33% 36% 38% 26% 28% 25% 10% 19% 15% 19% FI 60% 35% 21% 41% 27% 40% 27% 22% 11% 15% 15% 14% SE 50% 21% 32% 41% 12% 69% 34% 27% 19% 23% 15% 5% UK 43% 22% 33% 24% 19% 24% 19% 15% 25% 10% 7% 3%

Source : Eurobarometer / European Parliament 74.1 - Maximum 4 réponse

Public Opinion Monitoring Unit [email protected]

Jacques Nancy (+32 2 284 24 85) Jonas Trifot (+32 2 284 06 45) Elise Defourny (+32 2 284 11 23) Saïd Hallaouy (+32 2 284 60 73) Christelle Etienne (+32 2 284 14 21) Nathalie Lefèvre (+32 2 284 12 26)

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