Just 42% of Europeans say they trust the European Union, according to a new opinion poll, down six percentage points in just six months. The survey also found that fewer than half of Europe's citizens see their country's membership of the EU as a positive thing, but the European Commission is clinging to the positive elements of the report, particularly on economic governance. Officials are presenting the new Eurobarometer as an endorsement of greater budget oversight from Brussels, pointing to the 75% of Europeans who said stronger coordination between member states will help weather the economic storm. The research was done in May at the peak of negotiations on the €720 billion eurozone rescue fund (EurActiv 10/05/10). Ironically, it reveals that Slovaks (89%) are the most positively disposed towards an EU solution to the crisis - despite Slovakia's parliament recently pulling out of the EU-IMF bailout fund for Greece.
The survey also found that fewer than half of Europe's citizens see their country's membership of the EU as a positive thing, but the European Commission is clinging to the positive elements of the report, particularly on economic governance.
Officials are presenting the new Eurobarometer as an endorsement of greater budget oversight from Brussels, pointing to the 75% of Europeans who said stronger coordination between member states will help weather the economic storm.
The research was done in May at the peak of negotiations on the €720 billion eurozone rescue fund (EurActiv 10/05/10). Ironically, it reveals that Slovaks (89%) are the most positively disposed towards an EU solution to the crisis - despite Slovakia's parliament recently pulling out of the EU-IMF bailout fund for Greece.
When Europe asks whether she's still the fairest in the realm, only 49 per cent say "yes". The latest Eurobarometer poll published by the Commission shows that less than half the Community believe being part of the EU is "a good thing" for their country. Euro-enthusiasts haven't dipped below the 50 per cent mark since 2004, and in 2008 they came in at 58 per cent. This is the worst showing since the big eastward enlargement to form a 27-member club. The era of absolute majority is temporarily on hold. Is this a defeat for the Union? Yes, definitely. A defeat for Europe? Absolutely not. A victory for Eurosceptics? Don't kid yourself. The same opinion poll reflects a growing desire to pool and consolidate Europe's political energies. More and more people feel the EU should be the one to solve the problems of the recession. As a matter of fact, three quarters of Europe is calling for more policy coordination. Cure as clear as the illness And many would like to know what Europe can really do for them - because they are actually expecting it to do it. That's the point. Fewer people believe Europe is "a good thing" not because they're against integration per se, but because they feel betrayed by the 27 and the way they're handling it. They are demanding more. They feel they've been abandoned for sordid power games between Brussels and the member states. They want to know and participate.
When Europe asks whether she's still the fairest in the realm, only 49 per cent say "yes". The latest Eurobarometer poll published by the Commission shows that less than half the Community believe being part of the EU is "a good thing" for their country. Euro-enthusiasts haven't dipped below the 50 per cent mark since 2004, and in 2008 they came in at 58 per cent. This is the worst showing since the big eastward enlargement to form a 27-member club. The era of absolute majority is temporarily on hold.
Is this a defeat for the Union? Yes, definitely. A defeat for Europe? Absolutely not. A victory for Eurosceptics? Don't kid yourself. The same opinion poll reflects a growing desire to pool and consolidate Europe's political energies. More and more people feel the EU should be the one to solve the problems of the recession. As a matter of fact, three quarters of Europe is calling for more policy coordination. Cure as clear as the illness
And many would like to know what Europe can really do for them - because they are actually expecting it to do it. That's the point. Fewer people believe Europe is "a good thing" not because they're against integration per se, but because they feel betrayed by the 27 and the way they're handling it. They are demanding more. They feel they've been abandoned for sordid power games between Brussels and the member states. They want to know and participate.
If the EU had been more effective in resisting the neocon onslaught (and yes I understand that the UK was largely responsible for undermining it) it wouldn't have this problem now. If europe gets tough with the banksters and the trans-national financiers and rights the ship, it will recover popularity, if it cowers in the face of them it will not. keep to the Fen Causeway
