Trustful but critical” “

European citizens have trust in the EU institutions, but still don’t know the content of the new Constitution. They have altogether a positive image of the Union, but denounce its irrelevance on the world stage. These are some of the findings that emerge from two recent surveys by Eurobarometer, the EU’s own polling agency, conducted on a sample of 30,000 citizens. UNEMPLOYMENT WORRIES EU CITIZENS. The first survey, conducted in the 25 member countries of the EU, plus Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, covers a number of questions, ranging from the process of integration to quality of life, from hopes for the future to the role of Parliament, Commission and Council. The second survey was more specifically aimed at sampling the degree of knowledge and expectations of citizens with regard to the Constitutional Treaty. According to the analysts of Eurobarometer, “EU citizens say they are convinced that their own employment conditions (58%), remuneration (52%) and lifestyle (49%) will not undergo any changes in the next five years. But a good deal higher are the numbers of those who think that the economic situation of their own country (44%) and the national level of unemployment (48%) will deteriorate”. The interviewees fear the phenomenon of globalization, “since it concentrates power in the hands of a few large multinationals. There is also widespread fear that the progressive opening up of national economies represents a threat for national levels of employment and food quality”. On the other hand, a wide majority of those interviewed are of the view that the institution best able to keep the effects of globalization under control is in fact the European Union. EURO, FREEDOM AND PEACE. The report issued by Eurobarometer at the end of the survey declares “42% of the interviewees have a positive image of the EU, while approximately 21% have a negative one”. Another finding: 48% of the citizens of the pre-enlargement EU and 43% of those of the new member states “consider that being a member of the Union will bring advantages to their own country. In both groups of countries, the EU is especially identified with freedom to travel, study and work anywhere in European territory. The euro, activities in support of peace, cultural variety and economic prosperity follow in order in the perception of Europeans”. Also high is the percentage of those who declare they have more faith in the European institutions than in their own national parliaments and governments. “The European Parliament enjoys the support of 54% [of the sample] and is followed by the European Court of Justice (51%), the European Commission (48%), the European Central Bank (44%), the Council of Ministers of the EU (40%) and the European Ombudsman (30%)”. As regards the activities of the EU institutions and, more generally, those of the Union, “European citizens especially inform themselves through television, followed in turn by the press, radio, contacts with family, friends and colleagues, magazines and periodicals, and the Internet”. As for the future, the sample interviewed “consider that EU member states should find a common position on international crises, increase their own efforts for the defence of human rights, develop a foreign policy independent of the USA, and create a rapid reaction military force”. SUPPORT FOR THE CONSTITUTION, BUT FEW KNOW WHAT’S IN IT. On the other hand, the findings of the second survey, conducted in June, following the approval of the constitutional treaty at the European Council of 17-18 June, give rise to some concern (as the date approaches for the signing of the Constitution, fixed for 29 October, and the procedure for its ratification at the national level). The percentage of those interviewed by Eurobarometer “who consider they have a good knowledge of the Treaty does not exceed 30%”. The survey also examined citizens’ knowledge of the individual innovations introduced by the Constitution: “a large majority of interviewees (64%) – explain the Eurobarometer experts – declared they know that the text introduces the office of EU Foreign Minister. The gap between new and old member states is however considerable: among the former the percentage does not exceed 55%, whereas it rises to 66% in the 15-member EU”. Also in the majority (79%) are the citizens who “express their support for the adoption of the new Treaty. In the states in which the number of those who declare themselves contrary to its adoption is highest, the percentage of the undecided also rises. This is a sign – Eurobarometer deduces – that a good campaign of information not only helps citizens to get to know the Constitution, but also persuades them of its utility”. Lastly, the Europeans who believe that “the approval of the Constitution will permit the EU institutions to function better” are also in the majority (69%).