| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Title | In Focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Details | 5.3.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 05/03/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The full results of the Autumn 2002 Eurobarometer survey were published on 4 March 2003 revealing growing concerns about the global geopolitical situation, particularly the threat of international terrorism as well as strong support for the euro and continued support of the enlargement process. The latest Eurobarometer was conducted between 1 October and 5 November 2002 during which time 16,074 people over the age of 15 were interviewed across all of the Member States about their attitudes to issues of current political and social interest. The European Commission released its initial findings in December 2002 but the full breakdown always take 2-3 months to produce. The surveys, which are conducted on a bianuual basis, tend to ask similar questions broken down by subject area in order for public opinion to be tracked over a period of time. The key areas of focus in the Autumn 2002 Survey were:
With a possible war against Iraq making the headlines on a daily basis, the latest Eurobarometer provides a useful insight into Europeans' perception of the role of the United States in global affairs as well as moves to establish a European Common Foreign and Security Policy. On the role of the United States, just over half of those interviewed believe it plays a positive role in the fight against terrorism with marked differences in opinion between countries. Unsurprisingly, the UK records the greatest confidence in the US at 68% whilst the Greek population demonstrates the least support with only 26% of the population believing the United States plays a positive role. In France, traditionally an antagonist of the United States and one of the leading opponents to military action in Iraq, only 44% of the population believe that the United States plays a positive role in the fight against international terrorism.
Overall Europeans are particularly critical of the United States' role in global affairs:
In the area of foreign affairs it seems two-thirds of Europeans would support a common foreign policy even if Member States' governments seem to be struggling to speak with a united voice. Moreover, 73% of those interviewed would support a common European defence policy and 44% believe that decisions concerning European defence policy should be taken by the EU compared to 21% who feel that these should be taken by either NATO or the national governments.
The Eurobarometer also reveals continued support for the single currency although more than three quarters of people do believe that the changeover from national currencies to the euro did lead to higher prices. With enlargement scheduled for 2004, the majority of those questioned said that they thought that the addition of new members would increase the EU's influence on the world stage but the report revealed a serious lack of information about the process with only 20% saying that they felt well-informed about the upcoming enlargement. A separate Eurobarometer (CCEB 2002), also published on 5 March 2003, reveals opinions in the candidate countries. As the European Convention prepares to produce its ideas on the future of Europe in Summer 2003 the Eurobarometer provides a useful contribution to the debate, revealing that two-thirds of the population back the idea of an EU constitution whilst over half support institutional reform although a majority would keep the right to veto. The future leadership of the European Commission is also tackled with just 14% backing the nomination of the President of the European Commission by Member States' governments whereas 40% would support the direct election of a Commission President by the citizens.
Helen Bower Compiled: Wednesday, 5 March 2003 Background and reporting on the week's main stories in the European Union and the wider Europe. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
