As European voters prepare for upcoming elections in June, a recent Euronews-Ipsos poll reveals that just over one in five individuals support granting stronger powers to the European Union. The poll, which surveyed thousands of voters from countries representing 96% of the EU population, found that young, Portuguese, and Green voters are most likely to favor giving additional authority to Brussels. The survey, conducted between February 23 and March 5, represents the first pan-European survey of its kind in anticipation of the upcoming elections scheduled from June 6 to 9, with 400 million eligible voters participating in the democratic process.
Among the 18 EU member states surveyed, pro-European sentiment is strongest in Portugal, where 36% of voters look to the EU to address major challenges, while 63% of voters in France prefer decisions to be made in Paris. The EU Green coalition, comprising parties such as Corsica and Catalonia, is the most supportive of EU powers, with 41% of its voters in favor of increased EU authority. On the other hand, right-wing parties such as ECR and ID show a preference for individual capitals addressing problems, with 65% and 78% of their voters supporting this stance, respectively.
The survey also revealed generational trends, with 25% of younger individuals aged 18-29 supporting a stronger EU, compared to 20% of older voters aged 50-64. These results indicate a shift towards radical right-wing parties, potentially impacting Brussels’ decision-making in the next five years, despite a pro-European majority in place. In France, projections by Ipsos suggest that President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist grouping may lose seats to Marine Le Pen’s eurosceptic National Rally, indicating a changing political landscape within the European Parliament.
The survey asked respondents how they believed major challenges should be addressed, with varied responses reflecting the diverse issues facing policymakers. The EU’s efforts to combat climate change through ambitious emission reduction targets have faced opposition, particularly from farmers. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of defense policy for the EU, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prioritizing defense measures for her potential second term in office, despite military policy traditionally being seen as a national issue.
Overall, the survey results indicate a complex political landscape in Europe as voters prepare for the upcoming elections. Differences in opinions regarding the distribution of power between the EU and individual member states, as well as generational and political preferences, highlight the challenges facing policymakers in addressing major issues such as climate change and security. The upcoming elections will be a crucial moment for European democracy, with implications for the future direction of the EU and its ability to effectively address pressing challenges.
