Standing in Unity,Respecting Diversity: A Survey Into Citizens’ Perspectives on the Future of Europe

Abstract

Since the eurozone crisis of 2009, the future of Europe has been framed as a choice between more or less Europe, between the competing visions of EU federalists and populist nationalists. This paper demonstrates that this polarity is increasingly at odds with public perceptions of the future of Europe. European policy attitudes are characterised by a great diversity of viewpoints rooted in different values and national interests. This diversity must be respected and taken seriously. However, there is also a growing consensus about the need for a united European response to common external threats such as Russian aggression, climate change and the geopolitical conflicts affecting our economic and values systems. In a world adrift, the fl ag around which we rally is increasingly becoming European. This paper explores public opinion on four main policy areas fundamental to our future: the European economy, our common security, joint climate action and shared EU values. The research is based on 4 extensive surveys conducted in 10 EU countries between January 2020 and March 2022. They measure citizens’ perspectives both just before and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. For this research, the Martens Centre has partnered with global research agency Glocalities, which has developed a research methodology to measure cultural diversity between EU countries and values differences within European societies.

Footnotes

Author biographies

Federico Ottavio Reho is Strategic Coordinator and Senior Research Officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, where he is responsible for all research on political ideologies, political parties and EU institutions. He previously worked in the EU Institutions and Fora Division of the European Central Bank. He has studied European politics and political economy in four countries in Europe, including at the London School of Economics and the Hertie School of Governance (Berlin). He is also a D.Phil. candidate in history at St Anthony’s College, University of Oxford.

Anne Blanksma Çeta has been a Principal Researcher at Glocalities since 2016. He specialises in political communications and socio-political trends research. He worked for six years at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was seconded for three years as EU spokesperson in Kosovo. He conducts international research and provides strategic advice to political parties, IGOs and NGOs. He studied human rights and political theory and behaviour in three countries in Europe, including at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy of the University of Hamburg.