Inflation, immigration, climate… the main problems of Europeans

What worries Europeans the most? This is the question that the latest wave of the Eurobarometer public opinion poll, published on Monday, July 10, by the European Commission, is trying to answer. The poll, conducted in the European Union (EU) between May 31 and June 22, 2023, contains many lessons for the headquarters of the political parties of the Old Continent in the eleven months before the European elections.

Particularly because the most striking change is undoubtedly that of immigration, which has moved up from sixth to third place in the rankings. It is noted by 24% of respondents, an increase of seven points. This trend is part of the context of the rise of far-right parties in Europe, in power – with varying weights – in Italy, Finland or Sweden, on the rise in Germany and likely to form part of a future government coalition in Spain after the July 23 general election.

Migration anxiety is on the rise, but the first two topics named remain “the international situation” (25% of respondents each) and, above all, “inflation and the cost of living”, at the top of the rankings with 27%. The latter figure, however, is 5 points lower compared to this winter, which echoes the start of the fall in inflation rates seen in recent weeks in Europe.

“These concerns about purchasing power are not leading to a reduction in European support for a massive bailout for Ukraine or an EU-approved role in climate change, as some populist parties hope. says Eric Maurice of the Robert Schumann Foundation.

75% of respondents approve of financial assistance to Kyiv

On the contrary, climate action, a marker of the von der Leyen Commission’s mandate, remains a solid fourth on the list of priority issues indicated for the EU. In Ukraine, we are seeing “very little erosion, but the majority supports the majority,” notes Daniel Debomi, adviser on “European public opinion” at the Jacques Delors Institute.

Thus, 75% of respondents approve of financial assistance to the people of Kiev; however, this rate drops to 64% for arms shipments. 72% of respondents continue to support the economic sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia. The poll also asks European citizens about the future of the Union. 63% of them say they are optimistic. This figure is higher than the average for all member countries except for one: France.

Poll after poll: the French are in the most defeatist way about the future of Europe. 48% of French respondents are optimistic, but the same share is pessimistic, which is a record. As a rule, the star of the Union does not fade in the eyes of its citizens. 45% of them have a positive perception of the EU versus 18% who have a negative perception, a stable ratio compared to the previous survey wave last winter.