European citizens in favour of EU Constitution, June 2003

The majority of European citizens are in favour of an EU constitution, according to the latest Eurobarometer published by the European Commission on 17 June 2003. The public opinion survey found that 63% of those interviewed support the idea of a constitution even though more than half were ignorant about the work of the European Convention.

The publication of Eurobarometer 59 provides useful information on citzens' views about the future of the European Union before EU leaders meet to discuss the issue and the proposed draft constitution at the Summer European Council in Thessaloniki on 20-21 June 2003. Conducted during March and April 2003, the Eurobarometer is based on responses from over 16,000 EU citizens to a series of questions covering several topics.

In addition to supporting an EU constitution, the survey also revealed that almost half support the European Convention's decision to keep the name 'The European Union', with the second favourite 'United Europe' the preferred choice of only 14% of those interviewed. However, considering that one of the main aims of the European Convention is to tackle citizens' apathy towards the EU and the so-called democratic deficit, it may worry some Brussels officials that so few people know about the aims or work of the European Convention and only 40% are aware of their government role in the Convention. In terms of the proposed reforms, seven out of ten people believe that each Member State should continue to be represented by at least one Commissioner and a third of those interviewed would like to directly elect the President of the European Commission. Half of EU citizens also feel that the current Presidency term is not long en! ought to achieve significant results and should therefore be extended.

Conducted during the crisis in Iraq, the opinion poll also reveals citizens' views on the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and the role of America in the world. Despite the well-publicised differences between Member States about the nature of intervention in Iraq, support for the principle of a common foreign policy remains at the same level as it was in Autumn 2003 at 67% while support for a common defence policy has increased marginally to 74%. In terms of specific measures within these policies, around two-thirds of respondents believe that the EU should have its own seat on the UN Security Council, should have its own rapid reaction force and should have its own foreign minister.

While the Iraq crisis seems to have had little effect on the image of the EU's CFSP amongst its citizens, that of America has been severely dented. 58% of those surveyed now believe that the US plays a negative role in peace in the world, up 12 points on Autumn 2003 and its contribution to the fight against terrorism is also viewed more negatively, down nine points from Eurobarometer 58.

The survey also reveals citizens' opinions on the euro, the justice system, the EU's future enlargement and the advantages of membership to the EU. The summary report is currently available in French, German and English and the full report will be published at a later date.

Links:
European Commission:
	17.06.03:	Press Release: Eurobarometer: poll shows strong support for Constitution but low knowledge of Convention
	Eurobarometer 59: First Results
	Public Opinion Analysis
BBC News Online:
	13.06.03:	EU draft constitution agreed
European Convention:
	Homepage
European Sources Online:
	European Convention's Praesidium maps out the future of the European Union, June 2003
	The Convention on the Future of Europe, March 2002

Helen Bower

Compiled: Wednesday, 18 June 2003

Keywords: Eurobarometer 59; European Convention; Convention on the Future of Europe; Future of the Union