Brussels, 11/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - Eurobarometer 58, published on Wednesday, highlights the growing support for the European Commission, namely 53% on average (the highest level since the question was first raised in spring 1999, notes a Commission press release). Speaking at a press conference, President Prodi welcomed the fact that "confidence in the Commission has reached an historic high (…), the public's confidence in us has increased by 6 points over recent months, and I cannot deny that I find this extremely gratifying". This average naturally hides strong variations from one country to another, from a minimum of 31% (nonetheless 3 points up) in the United Kingdom, to 74% in Luxembourg (up 8 points). Confidence in the Commission has not declined in any country and has remained at the same level in Portugal (58%), while major improvements have been recorded in Ireland (+9%), Austria (+10%) and Belgium (+12%).
Averages do not fully show the reality of the situation, admitted President Prodi, who answered questions put to him on Wednesday on the results of the Eurobarometer concerning single currency. Above all, they do not show the fears of some concerning price rises imputed to the introduction of single currency, he remarked, admitting that, in some sectors and in some countries, there has perhaps not been sufficient "monitoring". The Eurobarometer shows a slight fall in support for the euro (-4 points not only in the EU as a whole but also in the euro-zone, where it stands at 63% and 71% respectively). Support for the euro has climbed 2 points in Ireland and Finland, 3 in Austria and 4 in France, while the greatest decline (-11) is recorded in Italy. In the United Kingdom, opposition to single currency increased 9 points to 61%, while support for single currency has grown 2 points in Sweden (51%) and 3 points in Denmark (55%).
Furthermore, 65% of Europeans on average are in favour of a European Constitution (+2). This ranges from 49% in the United Kingdom (-1) to 79% in Italy (-2). Support for the Constitution is up 6 points in Spain, Portugal and Ireland, and 10 points in Greece.
On the other hand, the election of the European Commission president is supported by only 40% on average (+6), ranging from 31% in Finland and 34% in Sweden to 47% in Belgium, Luxembourg and Greece (where it goes up respectively by 11.5 and 16 points).
As far as support for enlargement is concerned, a Flash Eurobarometer 132/2 carried out from 11 to 20 November shows that it is practically unchanged compared to September's Eurobarometer.