The latest Eurobarometer shows that EU citizens are keenly aware of the significance of upcoming elections in the context of increased global instability.
81% of respondents agreed that the current geopolitical context makes voting more important than ever. This is a considerably larger proportion than in 2019, before the last ballot. 60% said they were interested in voting in the European elections in June and 71% said they intended to vote.
In the same survey, 37% of respondents listed defence and security as a number one priority for the next mandate. This was followed by energy and food security, both prioritised by 30% of respondents.
Other important areas were the fight against poverty and social exclusion, public health and the creation of new jobs.
Belgian figures tally with the survey's Europe-wide findings. 58% said they were interested in the elections, marking an 11% increase from 2019. The number one priority for the next mandate is the fight against poverty and social exclusion followed by asylum and migration policy, the fight against climate change and agricultural policy.
"I call on our citizens to cast their vote in the upcoming European elections, to reinforce European democracy and to shape the future of Europe," stated President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola (EPP).
Credit: Eurobarometer
Crisis management
Survey results indicated that EU citizens are dissatisfied with the bloc's response to successive crises. Only 36% are satisfied with the European response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 50% found the response to the Covid-19 pandemic adequate, and satisfaction levels dropped to 38% for Brexit.
Despite these findings, the barometer illustrates optimism among respondents. 81% view the European Parliament positively as opposed to 18% who view it negatively. 56% would like the Parliament to play a more important role, while 28% would like to see the opposite and 10% would keep its powers the same as they are now.
Regarding the EU's place in the world, four in ten citizens say the role of the EU has become more important globally, 35% think it has stayed the same and 22% believe its influence has diminished.
