According to the latest Eurobarometer survey conducted by request of the European Parliament and published on Friday 18 November, 53% of Europeans believe that being a member of the European Union is a positive thing for their country.
Although this rate has not changed since 2009, when it also stood at 53%, it varies enormously between the member states: whilst it does not reach the 35% mark in four countries (31% in Greece, 32% in the Czech Republic, 33% in Italy and 34% in Cyprus), it is above 70% in four other member states of the EU (71% in Germany, 72% in the Netherlands, 74% in Ireland and as high as 81% in Luxembourg).
Around 71% of survey respondents also said that there were more issues that bring the citizens of the EU together than ones that divide them. When asked about what constitutes the European identity, democracy and freedom were the top answers. The euro has lost popularity and slipped to last place, with just 33% of respondents feeling that this is a key element of the European identity.
The future of the EU looks bleak. The outlook for the future of the EU seems somewhat bleak, as the citizens who took part feel that their views count for less and less, at both national and European level. Around 54% of respondents also said that things were going in the wrong direction (13% higher than in 2015).
How can the trend be turned around? Around 46% of respondents would like to see the European Parliament play a greater role and a similar proportion feels that a harmonised social protection system could bolster the feeling of being part of the EU. (Original version in French by Thomas Régnier)