Knowing in order to choose

They fear unemployment, although they hope in a better future. They protest environmental damage but they don’t want to renounce their “consumerist” lifestyle. They wish they had more time for the family and their hobbies but many deceive themselves onto considering their carrier as the main goal of their lives. Most of them say they are “religious”, but the percentage of those attending places of worship is very low. In order to know Europeans not only statistics but also what the population really thinks should be taken into account. It is one of the tasks of Eurobarometer, EU Commission survey Office. (For previous fact sheets see SIR Europe ns.9-11-13-15).Faith in politicians. Since 1973 Eurobarometer has been periodically carrying out research on a large number of themes, ranging from social issues to the attitude towards migrants, from health to security, from narcotics to the degree of culture or the use of the media including employment and ecology in order to learn more about the 27 Member States’ citizens. Past months’ publications focus on “the families and the needs of ageing population” and “Internet safety for children” (interviews with parents). In January 2009 a survey was conducted on the introduction of the euro in Slovakia along with a report on the knowledge of “key-policies of the Union in the field of security, justice and freedom”. The latest report centres on a survey issued March 3rd regarding the degree of trust in the different political spheres, at local and European levels. Data shows that local and regional bodies “are the government levels that most enjoys citizens’ trust”. The final document states that 34% of interviewees “trust their national governments”. Figures reach 47% in the case of the institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg and raise to over 50% as relates to municipalities and regions, with peaks of 60-70% in North European countries.Environment, climate, Gmo. “Most citizens claim that the EU should do more for the environment and that action and policies should be implemented at Community level, giving global answers to global problems”, remarked Commissioner Stavros Dimas. Experts of the polling institute claim, “over 95% deem environmental protection important while according to 80% of the sample it affects the quality of life”. In this field, “the five problems that most worry citizens are climate changes, water and air pollution, man-caused catastrophes and the use of chemical substances in every-day products”. 58% of the sample said they are concerned about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), while 21% are in favour. Over 60% said they would be willing to purchase organic products, even though these cost more, but only 17% confirm they have already done so. Peace and respect for life. Another Eurobarometer report highlights the three priorities that best represent the EU in the eyes of citizens: the rights of man rank first, followed by democracy and peace. Different answers were given when asked which values European “view as most important at personal level”. In this case peace ranks first (52%), followed by the respect for human life (43%) and the rights of man (41%), by democracy and individual freedoms; the fact that religion ranks last in this list is reason for concern. It must obviously be pointed out – as the pollsters often do – that the results of a survey depend on the questions raised, on the way in which these are asked, on the sample of interviewees. Remarkable differences were registered from one State to the next, according to the cultural, social and historical traditions. Indeed to the question – perhaps erroneously formulated – whether religion occupies an “excessively important place” in European countries, 46% said “yes”, while 48% disagreed with this statement. Freedoms, narcotics, foreigners… In the home office of Eurobarometer, efforts are put in trying to understand the citizens’ views also to help EU legislation and decision-making activity. For example, when asked whether “stricter punishment for criminals” should be adopted (without specifying for which crime), 85% said they would agree while 12% are against. Those who haven’t made up their minds yet represent the difference. 64% believe that more freedom and justice are necessary in Europe, even to the detriment of individual freedom. 26% agree with legalizing cannabis consumption; and 68% are against. As relates to the presence of immigrants in the EU, the public opinion is divided, but diffidence towards foreigners tends to prevail. When asked whether immigrants “bring advantages to our country”, 40% of the sample said they agree, while 52% don’t.