Experience of Euro winning over some sceptics, says EU survey

According to the most recent findings of the Eurobarometer, which GfK Ad Hoc Research Worldwide, INRA (EUROPE) and IRS carry out bi-annually on behalf of the European Commission, support for the Euro and the EU as a whole strengthened slightly since the changes on January 1st 2002.

Six months on from the introduction of Euro banknotes and coins as the legal tender in many EU countries, three in four citizens from the EMU member states view the new currency positively. In countries which were openly averse to parting with their national currency, such as Finland and Germany, approximately two thirds of the population in each case now feel more positive about its replacement.

In addition to Belgium and Spain, there has been a double-digit increase in the number of people in favour of the common currency in Finland. In the most recent wave of the survey in Finland, the pro camp had increased by fifteen, in Belgium by ten and in Spain by eleven per cent compared to the wave just before the introduction of the Euro. Despite the current general unwillingness to spend and the debate in the media on whether the introduction of the Euro was linked to a hike in prices, the number of people professing to be pro-Euro in Germany has also gone up, by seven per cent.

In the UK two thirds are opposed to joining the Euro, indicating the massive task ahead for the government if it is to avoid embarrassment in a referendum, although there has been a slight increase in the number in favour. Majorities in Sweden and Denmark also remain opposed, although the proportion in favour has grown and is close to 50 per cent.

The majority of EU citizens believes that being part of the EU is 'good for their country'. However, one in ten believes the opposite and over twenty five per cent are don't knows. The picture in the UK and the more recent member states such as Finland, Austria and Sweden differs: in these countries, only one in three think that their country is benefiting from EU membership.

There are strong differences of opinion regarding the expansion of the Union to include new countries. Five in ten EU citizens see the expansion as positive, while three are opposed to it and two say they don't know. In eleven of the fifteen EU member states, there is a clear majority in favour but the majority people in the three biggest economies (the UK, France and Germany) and in Austria, are not decided in favour. In three cases this reflects a high number undecided or with no very strong feelings either way, whereas in France the proportion of people firmly against expansion is higher than the number of pro-expansionists. Around 40 per cent in each case support the expansion of the EU. In Denmark, Greece, Italy and Spain, 60 per cent or more see expansion as positive.

Two in three respondents from EU countries still support the idea of a common approach to foreign policy matters. In the UK the share of people in favour of and against the idea are equal at 38 per cent, and Finland, Ireland and Sweden only one in two is in favour.

The Eurobarometer survey is carried out by GfK Ad Hoc Research Worldwide, Belgium, INRA (EUROPE), Belgium and IRS, Luxembourg, twice a year on behalf of the European Commission. From 29 March 2002 to 1 May 2002, a total of 15,987 people over 15 years of age from the 15 EU member states were surveyed in face-to-face interviews.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

• INRA
• All news