Free movement considered the biggest EU achievement

Recently the European Commission published the Spring 2018 Standard Eurobarometer results which indicate a growing trust by the European Union citizens in the EU and its institutions. Positive results are visible across the survey with a favourable increment in the areas of economic optimism, the Economic and Monetary Union and the general perception of the EU, among others.

Conducted between the 17 and 28 March 2018 through face-to-face interviews with 33,130 people across the EU Member States and the candidate countries, the Eurobarometer looks at the EU and its policies as seen a year before the European Parliament elections and at a crucial time taking into account the overall global political and economic scenario.

In 25 of the 28 Member States a majority of those interviewed have reacted positively when asked about the European economy with 49% also having a positive outlook towards their national economy and as many as 74% supporting the euro.

While trust in the EU has increased by a percentage point to 42% compared to 2010 results with Lithuania, Portugal and Denmark being at the forefront, trust has declined in six of the EU’s Member States. This trust in the EU exceeds the 34% trust towards national governments or parliaments. This positive trend for the EU is also visible in terms of the optimistic perspective towards its future, where 58% of respondents look positively towards this, led by Ireland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Malta, Lithuania and Denmark. While as may have been expected an increased pessimism was recorded in Greece and the United Kingdom.

In terms of the main achievements of the EU the free movement of persons, goods and services and peace among the Member States are seen as the front runners. For the first time since spring 2010, the view that Europeans feel they are citizens of the EU is shared by a majority in all Member States.

In terms of areas of particular concern and as the main challenges faced by the EU the respondents have indicated immigration (38%) and terrorism (29%). While at a national level unemployment (25%), health and social security (23%) and immigration (21%) are especially worrying.

Citizens have also expressed themselves positively towards the benefits they have seen from EU policies such as fewer border controls when traveling, cheaper calls when using mobile phones in other EU countries and stronger consumer rights when buying products or services in another EU Member State.

Dr. Ylenia Micallef Grimaud for Corporate Dispatch