ZAGREB, Oct 18, 2018 – The Eurobarometer, a survey of public opinion throughout the EU, has revealed a marked increase in general public support for EU membership.
The Eurobarometer survey, conducted between September 8 and September 26 across 27,474 adult EU citizens in all 28 member states, showed 62 percent of those polled considered their respective countries’ membership of the EU to be a good thing. A total of 68 percent believed their country had benefited from membership of the EU, the highest rate for this response since 1983. In Croatia, 66 percent of the respondents believe the county has benefited from membership of the bloc, according to a report issued by the Eurobarometer’s office in Croatia on Wednesday.
The proportion of Croatians who said they do not trust political parties stands at 79 percent, while 64 percent is not satisfied with the democratic functioning in the country. Croats are more positive about the democratic functioning of the EU – 51 percent is satisfied and 40 percent is not satisfied.
Public awareness of the European elections in May 2019 has risen, with 41 percent of respondents correctly identifying the date: nine points higher than when the same question was asked in the April Eurobarometer.
Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, said: “As details of the UK’s withdrawal agreement are being finalised, these figures highlight growing appreciation of the benefits of EU membership across the continent. Nevertheless, there is much work to be done. Continued cooperation and solidarity at the EU level [are] essential in delivering answers to the concerns of ordinary European citizens.”
The Eurobarometer, which was established in 1974, is conducted twice yearly with the aim of gauging EU citizens’ awareness of and support for EU activities.
