People are concerned about security and defense – Diepresse.com
According to the latest survey, trust in the EU is at an 18-year high. Two thirds see the future of the EU optimistic – despite poor economic expectations.
The current unsafe geopolitical situation apparently means that 78 percent of Europeans are concerned about the « defense and security » of the EU. According to the newest Eurobarometer survey of the EU Commission on Wednesday, the economic situation also ensures; However, approval of the EU has increased. In Austria, 54 percent of the respondents have confidence in the EU, 4 percentage points more than last autumn.
Around half of the respondents took the situation of the European economy as « bad ». For national economies, even 60 percent see it that way, 56 percent in Austria. The prospects are also cloudy for the next twelve months: a third expects a deterioration in the economic situation at a European, 40 percent at national level. 86 percent believe that rising tariffs in the global economy harm. If other countries increase their tariffs to imports from the EU, 80 percent of those surveyed agree to the EU.
The future of the EU is optimistic
The EU Commission emphasizes that confidence in the EU has not been as high as it has not been in 18 years: around half of the Europeans trust the EU. According to the survey, around two thirds see the future of the EU optimistic despite poor business expectations, 60 percent in Austria. Three quarters of the respondents and thus the highest value have stated in more than two decades to feel like citizens of the EU. According to the Eurobarometer, 81 percent are for a joint defense and security policy of the EU member states.
According to the will of the European population, Ukraine and their people, it is still high: 80 percent of those surveyed are in favor of accepting people who flee before the Russian war of aggression. 72 percent of EU citizens are in favor of economic sanctions against Russia. Around 60 percent each agree that Ukraine will receive the status of an EU candidate country and that the EU is financing the purchase and delivery of military equipment to Ukraine.
« The EU is a reliable partner, especially in times of global turbulence, » said EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner. More cooperation within the EU – for example with security and defense – and the completion of the internal market are the focus of strengthening Europe.
The standard eurobarometer survey 103 (spring 2025) was carried out between March 26 and April 22, 2025 in the 27 Member States. A total of 26,368 EU citizens were personally interviewed. Interviews also took place in nine candidate and potential candidate countries (all except Ukraine) and in the UK. (APA)
