Analytics, Budget, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Society

In a new survey commissioned by the European Parliament and conducted in the second half of June 2020, nearly seven out of ten respondents, that is 68 percent, want a stronger role for the EU in fighting this crisis. In Estonia, 81 percent of respondents want a stronger role for the EU. Of Europeans, more than half, 56 percent, believe this requires greater financial means for the EU, which should be directed primarily at tackling the impact of the pandemic on the health sector and the economy.

More than half of respondents, 53 percent, remain dissatisfied with the solidarity shown between EU member states during the pandemic, although more people now have a more positive view than was the case in April, up five points.

"The results of this survey clearly show that EU citizens expect the EU to show more solidarity and take more action to assist the recovery. They also recognize the need for a larger EU budget to tackle the unprecedented impact the pandemic has had on our economy and society. In the context of the current budget negotiations, Parliament stands by the citizens in their call for a more effective and ambitious EU," European Parliament President David Sassoli said when commenting on the results.

Three out of four European citizens, 76 percent, have heard about the various EU measures proposed to fight the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Altogether 36 percent of respondents, an increase of three points compared to the first survey of this kind in April, also know what these measures are. Of those who have heard about the EU measures against COVID-19, 49 percent are satisfied with them. A clear increase of almost 7 points on average, compared to 42 percent in April, confirms the growing public support for the proposed measures, many of which have still to be implemented. In Estonia, 73 percent of respondents assesses the activity of the EU positively.

While just over half of respondents across the EU, 53 percent, are not satisfied with the solidarity shown between EU member states during the pandemic, 39 percent of EU citizens on average say that they are satisfied. This is an average increase of five points since April 2020, most notable in Portugal and Spain, both up nine points, Germany, Greece, Romania and Slovakia, all around up seven points. In Estonia, the satisfaction of residents is significantly higher than average and altogether 63 percent are satisfied with the solidarity shown between EU member states.

Around two thirds of respondents, 68 percent, agree 'the EU should have more competences to deal with crises such as the coronavirus pandemic', backed by an absolute majority in 26 member states. The strongest support for more EU competences comes from respondents in Portugal and Luxembourg, both 87 percent, Cyprus with 85 percent, Malta with 84 percent, Estonia with 81 percent, Ireland with 79 percent, Italy and Greece, both 78 percent, as well as Romania with 77 percent and Spain with 75 percent.

Additionally, 56 percent of Europeans believe the EU should have greater financial means to be able to overcome the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. In 15 EU member states, an absolute majority of respondents agrees with this claim, led by Greece with 79 percent, Cyprus with 74 percent, Spain and Portugal, both 71 percent.

Asked about the policy fields where this enlarged EU budget should be spent, public health tops the priority list for European citizens. Altogether 55 percent of respondents in Europe and 45 percent in Estonia find spending on public health to be the most important, coming first in 17 EU member states. Following this top priority, economic recovery and new opportunities for businesses, 45 percent of all respondents and 43 percent in Estonia, employment and social affairs, 37 percent of all respondents and 42 percent in Estonia, as well as the fight against climate change, 36 percent of all respondents, follow suit.

A clear indicator showing how important it is to make the necessary decisions for the recovery package as soon as possible is the worrying personal financial situation of European citizens since the beginning of the pandemic. Nearly unchanged since April, 57 percent of respondents say that they have experienced personal financial difficulties. Most mentioned is the 'loss of income', by 28 percent of respondents overall, as a key issue in 21 member states, with highest returns in Hungary and Spain, both 43 percent, Bulgaria and Greece, both 41 percent, as well as Italy, 37 percent. In Estonia, the indicator stood at 23 percent.

A significant development can also be seen in respondents' feelings about the crisis, with citizens from 15 EU member states choosing 'hope', 41 percent overall, to best describe their current emotional state. This sentiment now comes a close second to 'uncertainty', which is mentioned by 45 percent of respondents, a decrease of five points compared to April, when it stood at 50 percent. Negative feelings are decreasing overall: 'fear', 17 percent and down five points, 'frustration', 23 percent and down four points, 'helplessness', 21 percent and down eight points, while feelings of ‘confidence’ increase by three points to 24 percent and ‘helpfulness’ by two points to 16 percent on EU average.

The survey was conducted online, and via telephone in Malta and Cyprus, by Kantar between June 11 and 29, 2020 and among 24,798 respondents in all 27 EU member states. The survey was limited to respondents aged between 16 and 64, 16-54 in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia. Representativeness at the national level is ensured by quotas on gender, age, and region. The total EU results are weighted according to the size of the population of each country surveyed.

Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8852, [email protected]