The European Parliament’s last Eurobarometer survey before the elections in June reveals awareness among citizens. More than eight in ten Europeans (81%) believe voting is even more important given the current geopolitical situation. Six in ten citizens (60%) take an interest in the upcoming European elections, and 73% of citizens say that EU actions have an impact on their daily lives.
The pre-electoral publication reveals a positive, upward trend on key election indicators with just a few weeks to go until EU citizens cast their ballots on 6-9 June. Interest in the election, awareness of when it will take place as well as likelihood to vote are all on the rise since the last survey in autumn 2023, when they were last measured. Increases are even more striking in comparison to the Spring 2019 survey.
60% now say they are interested in voting in June (+3 pp compared to autumn 2023 and +11 pp compared to February/March 2019). 71% say that it is likely that they will vote, representing +3 pp in comparison to autumn 2023 and +10 pp compared to February/March 2019.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, commenting on the results of the survey, said: “Europeans are aware that the stakes are high at the ballot box, and that voting is even more important in the current geopolitical context. I call on our citizens to cast their vote in the upcoming European elections, to reinforce European democracy and to shape the future of Europe.”
As this legislature concludes, 81% of EU citizens hold a positive or neutral image of the European Parliament, while only 18% are negative. What is more, a majority in the EU (56%) would like the EP to play a more important role – while only 28% would like to see the opposite and 10% would keep the role as it is now.
European citizens would like to see the fight against poverty and social exclusion (33%) as well as supporting public health (32%) as the main issues under discussion during the electoral campaign. Support to the economy and the creation of new jobs, as well as EU defence and security are both in third place (on 31%). The importance citizens attach to EU defence and security has increased over the course of the parliamentary term, particularly in light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Almost three quarters of citizens (73%) say that EU actions have an impact on their daily lives. In addition, a large majority of Europeans agree that their country, on balance, benefits from EU membership (71%). These results are stable in comparison to autumn 2023 and continue enjoying high levels across the EU.
