The Citizens of Europe and the European Union in the Current Crisis

This policy paper first examines European public opinion as measured through selected quantitative indicators in Standard Eurobarometer surveys. It describes fluctuations observed during four successive periods since 1985, and puts in perspective the drop in support to the European Union that has taken place since the beginning of the financial and economic crisis. Inputs from qualitative research help interpret those data and provide more in-depth understanding of current attitudes towards the EU among the citizens of the 27 Member States. Whereas the Europeans have appeared on the whole rather indulgent until recently, that is likely to change if the EU does not demonstrate its ability to come up with lasting solutions to the crisis and to address the roots of the problems. Furthermore, dangerously deep cracks are starting to appear, both in old and new Member States, in the citizens’ understanding and acceptance of the principle of solidarity, without which the Union would lose its raison d’être and the core of its identity.

This policy paper was drafted in the wake of a debate organised in Paris at the Fondation Jean Jaurès on 27 June 2011 with the directors of opinion research institutes from 17 European countries.