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Support for the European Union is Rising, Survey Suggests Support for the European Union Is Rising, Survey Suggests
(about 17 hours later)
LONDON — Faith in the European Union is reviving in Europe, even as parties that are skeptical of the bloc threaten to divide and polarize the Continent, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.LONDON — Faith in the European Union is reviving in Europe, even as parties that are skeptical of the bloc threaten to divide and polarize the Continent, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.
Across Europe, parties outside the political mainstream on the far left and far right have made strong inroads in recent months, variously portraying the European Union as a bureaucratic behemoth that embodies untrammeled markets, is too welcoming of illegal immigrants and threatens the sovereignty of its member states.Across Europe, parties outside the political mainstream on the far left and far right have made strong inroads in recent months, variously portraying the European Union as a bureaucratic behemoth that embodies untrammeled markets, is too welcoming of illegal immigrants and threatens the sovereignty of its member states.
The survey, released on Tuesday, found that more than half of the respondents in four of Europe’s six biggest economies viewed euroskeptic parties, which are highly critical of the bloc, as a “good thing” for their country. Buffeted by economic crisis and angry at fiscal austerity policies, voters in Britain, Spain, and Italy, among others, are turning to parties outside the political mainstream, the survey found.The survey, released on Tuesday, found that more than half of the respondents in four of Europe’s six biggest economies viewed euroskeptic parties, which are highly critical of the bloc, as a “good thing” for their country. Buffeted by economic crisis and angry at fiscal austerity policies, voters in Britain, Spain, and Italy, among others, are turning to parties outside the political mainstream, the survey found.
Still, in Britain, which will hold a referendum by 2017 on whether to stay in the European Union, a majority of those surveyed said they wanted their country to continue its membership.Still, in Britain, which will hold a referendum by 2017 on whether to stay in the European Union, a majority of those surveyed said they wanted their country to continue its membership.
Bruce Stokes, the director of global economic attitudes at Pew, who oversaw the study, said that the popularity of protest or nontraditional parties despite a gradually improving economy reflected deep-seated dissatisfaction with the status quo and traditional political parties.Bruce Stokes, the director of global economic attitudes at Pew, who oversaw the study, said that the popularity of protest or nontraditional parties despite a gradually improving economy reflected deep-seated dissatisfaction with the status quo and traditional political parties.
“We were surprised by the level of frustration among citizens that these parties have failed them,” he said. “If there is difficult economic shock to the system in Europe going forward, the survey suggests that there is space for these parties to grow.”“We were surprised by the level of frustration among citizens that these parties have failed them,” he said. “If there is difficult economic shock to the system in Europe going forward, the survey suggests that there is space for these parties to grow.”
The center surveyed 6,028 people by phone and face to face from April 7 to May 13 in six European Union countries: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Britain. The countries, which include Europe’s biggest economies, make up 70 percent of the European Union’s population and 74 percent of its gross domestic product. The margin of error of the survey was three to four percentage points.The center surveyed 6,028 people by phone and face to face from April 7 to May 13 in six European Union countries: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Britain. The countries, which include Europe’s biggest economies, make up 70 percent of the European Union’s population and 74 percent of its gross domestic product. The margin of error of the survey was three to four percentage points.
In Britain, where the anti-immigration U.K. Independence Party won 13 percent of the vote in May’s parliamentary election (but only one seat in Parliament), 66 percent of those surveyed said the rise of the party was good for the country. In Spain, 70 percent of those surveyed said the ascent of Podemos, a leftist movement that has railed against austerity measures, was beneficial to the country. France, however, was an exception, with a majority of those surveyed saying the rise of the far-right National Front was a “bad thing,” even as economic stagnation has helped improve that party’s electoral fortunes.In Britain, where the anti-immigration U.K. Independence Party won 13 percent of the vote in May’s parliamentary election (but only one seat in Parliament), 66 percent of those surveyed said the rise of the party was good for the country. In Spain, 70 percent of those surveyed said the ascent of Podemos, a leftist movement that has railed against austerity measures, was beneficial to the country. France, however, was an exception, with a majority of those surveyed saying the rise of the far-right National Front was a “bad thing,” even as economic stagnation has helped improve that party’s electoral fortunes.
Nevertheless, the survey found that skepticism toward the union, which has intensified as national economies have struggled, had bottomed out, and that a more resilient European economy was helping to restore faith in the bloc. That was particularly the case in Spain, Poland and Italy, the survey said, where perceptions that the economic situation is improving was translating into a favorable view of the union.Nevertheless, the survey found that skepticism toward the union, which has intensified as national economies have struggled, had bottomed out, and that a more resilient European economy was helping to restore faith in the bloc. That was particularly the case in Spain, Poland and Italy, the survey said, where perceptions that the economic situation is improving was translating into a favorable view of the union.
The survey found that a majority of Britons believed that European integration had been good for the economy, with 55 percent saying they wanted to remain in the bloc. That is good news for proponents of Britain’s continued membership of the European Union. Prime Minister David Cameron has said he wants Britain to remain in the union, although he also wants to renegotiate some of the terms of Britain’s membership. He faces an uphill struggle to convince skeptics, including those in his Conservative Party, who argue that Brussels is encroaching on national sovereignty.The survey found that a majority of Britons believed that European integration had been good for the economy, with 55 percent saying they wanted to remain in the bloc. That is good news for proponents of Britain’s continued membership of the European Union. Prime Minister David Cameron has said he wants Britain to remain in the union, although he also wants to renegotiate some of the terms of Britain’s membership. He faces an uphill struggle to convince skeptics, including those in his Conservative Party, who argue that Brussels is encroaching on national sovereignty.
Mr. Stokes said the survey showed that a majority of young people in Britain backed European membership, suggesting that Mr. Cameron will have to persuade young people to vote if he wants the referendum to swing in favor of maintaining membership.Mr. Stokes said the survey showed that a majority of young people in Britain backed European membership, suggesting that Mr. Cameron will have to persuade young people to vote if he wants the referendum to swing in favor of maintaining membership.
Despite fears among the champions of the euro that economic hard times — and the prospect of Greece abandoning the single currency — could dent support for the euro, the survey also showed that a strong majority in Europe’s biggest economies still embraced the single currency. Only one year ago in Italy, fewer than half of respondents wanted to keep the euro; now 56 percent back it, the survey said, and roughly 70 percent in Germany, Spain and France want to keep the euro.Despite fears among the champions of the euro that economic hard times — and the prospect of Greece abandoning the single currency — could dent support for the euro, the survey also showed that a strong majority in Europe’s biggest economies still embraced the single currency. Only one year ago in Italy, fewer than half of respondents wanted to keep the euro; now 56 percent back it, the survey said, and roughly 70 percent in Germany, Spain and France want to keep the euro.
The deadly terrorist attacks in January in and around Paris raised concerns that an already simmering anti-Muslim backlash could intensify in France and beyond, but the survey found that Muslims and Jews are generally viewed positively, although the Roma are viewed with suspicion.The deadly terrorist attacks in January in and around Paris raised concerns that an already simmering anti-Muslim backlash could intensify in France and beyond, but the survey found that Muslims and Jews are generally viewed positively, although the Roma are viewed with suspicion.
Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Jews, with the highest proportion of positive views in France and the lowest in Poland. About 61 percent had a favorable view of Muslims, with the highest rate being in France, which is home to Europe’s largest population of both Jews and Muslims.Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Jews, with the highest proportion of positive views in France and the lowest in Poland. About 61 percent had a favorable view of Muslims, with the highest rate being in France, which is home to Europe’s largest population of both Jews and Muslims.
“It’s counterintuitive given recent events, but after Sept. 11 in the United States, the favorability of Muslims also went up,” Mr. Stokes said. “It would appear that publics tend to rally in favor of victims of ugly incidences, or favor underdogs. People get a sympathy vote.”“It’s counterintuitive given recent events, but after Sept. 11 in the United States, the favorability of Muslims also went up,” Mr. Stokes said. “It would appear that publics tend to rally in favor of victims of ugly incidences, or favor underdogs. People get a sympathy vote.”