(29 March 2016) – The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung foundation has published an 8 country-survey on citizens’ expectations and concerns to current EU challenges.
The European Union has been facing massive challenges regarding a) the threefold economic, financial and Euro crisis, b) international tensions over Ukraine and in the Arab world, as well as c) the refugee crisis.
Interviews were conducted in Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
Respondents’ reactions to current challenges are as diverse as the political realities in their respective countries. While concern is widespread, its causes vary considerably among countries.
Citizens in the Mediterranean region are mainly worried about their countries’ economic well-being and the future of the labour market. In economically stronger countries, respondents emphasize the risks of state debt at home and abroad.
The EU as such is not being questioned. On the contrary, there is a range of issues that citizens would like to have dealt with at the European level.