The European Union's popularity is increasing. A Eurobarometer survey published on 5 August shows that confidence in the EU has reached its highest level since 2014. These results confirm the renewed interest observed by the EU during the European elections last May (see EUROPE 12264/4).
Conducted between 7 June and 1 July, the survey shows that confidence in the Union stands at 44% and is now ten points ahead of confidence in national governments and national parliaments.
Compared to 2018, the proportion of respondents with a positive image of the EU (45%, +2 percentage points) increased in 23 Member States, particularly in Cyprus (47%, +11), Hungary (52%, +9), Greece (33%, +8), Romania (60%, +8) and Portugal (60%, +7).
A majority of Europeans are optimistic about the future of the EU (61%, +3 percentage points) and 55% of Europeans say they are satisfied with the functioning of democracy in the EU. This score is the highest since 2004, while the number of "unsatisfied" people decreased by five percentage points to 36%.
This heightened optimism is accompanied by strong support for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro, with a new record: 76% of respondents in the euro area are in favour of the single currency. Across the EU as a whole, support for the euro remains stable at 62%.
According to the survey, immigration remains the main concern at EU level, despite a sharp decrease (-6 percentage points since autumn 2018). Climate change, in fifth place in 2018, is now emerging as the second major concern after a sharp increase (+6 percentage points), followed by the economic situation, the state of Member States' public finances, and terrorism. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)