The latest Eurobarometer poll by the European Parliament has shown that 66% of European Union (EU) citizens want the EU to take a more important role in protecting them against global crises and security risks.
The war in Ukraine and the European Union (EU) defence are at the top of the political agenda, but also a main concern for citizens of the old continent.
Two in three people responded to the EP's Winter 2025 Eurobarometer published on Tuesday saying they want the EU to be a stronger player in protecting them. This view is particularly strong amongst younger respondents to the survey.
"Two-thirds of Europeans want the EU to play a greater role in their protection. This is a clear call for action which we will answer," said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
"Europe needs to be stronger so that our citizens feel safer. The European Parliament will ensure that every proposal put forward is bold and ambitious enough to match the serious level of threat Europe faces. Europe must step up today, or it risks being stepped over tomorrow."
Top perk
At the national level, results for a stronger role range from 87% in Sweden to 47% in Romania and 44% in Poland. The share of people agreeing with the statement that the role of the EU to protect citizens should become more important was also 66% in Belgium.
13% of Belgian respondents said it should be "less important", compared to 10% EU-wide.
One in three (35%) European citizens ranked peace and security as the top benefit of EU membership. Meanwhile, defence and security is the top area where the EU should reinforce its position in the world, according to 36% of respondents. In Belgium, this figure was 39%.
While the results for defence and security remained stable compared to February/March 2024, those for competitiveness, economy and industry have increased by five points to 32%, making it the fastest-rising and second-largest concern.
"These two are also the topics that featured high on last week’s European Council the Parliament’s President [Metsola] calling for faster action and bolder ambition," European Parliament spokesperson Delphine Colard, said. These areas are followed by energy independence (27%), food security and agriculture (25%) and education and research (23%).
Nine in ten (89%) citizens say that EU Member States should act more united to face current global challenges
Record approval
This desire for EU protection in the face of global security threats seems to, at least in part, have spurred newfound appreciation levels for the EU.
Three in four (74%) of Europeans said their country had benefited from EU membership. This marks the highest recorded level since the EU started asking respondents that question in 1983. The share has hovered around 70% since 2020. In Belgium, this figure was 73%.
"As historic trend lines show, in moments of crisis citizens look to the EU for decisive actions and solutions," Colard explained. "When the EU is perceived as coming together and delivering results, support indicators are high – which is currently the case."
However, when asked specifically about public sentiment towards the EU, the figures are more sobering. Only half of the respondents have a positive image of the EU. 15% have a negative view, while as much as 34% are neutral about it.
Still, this is the second-highest positive perception in the last decade. The figure was only higher – 52% – in spring 2022 in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine).
The economic situation continues to be a main concern for many Europeans. A third (33%) expect their standard of living to decrease in the next five years, seven points more than in June-July 2024. In Belgium, percentage was 40% in Belgium, 53% of French respondents (+8 pp) and 47% of Germans (+15 pp).
