European Approvals Soar to New Heights, Poland Takes the Lead in Continental Fervor

European Union (EU) support reaches unprecedented heights, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey. Commissioned by the European Parliament, the study found that 74% of respondents view EU membership as advantageous for their respective countries – the highest approval rating since the survey started in 1983.

Poland stands out as a strong supporter, with 84% of respondents acknowledging benefits for their country, a three-point increase from the previous survey in summer 2024. This surge in enthusiasm for the EU is a broader trend across Europe, where citizens increasingly view the Union as a stabilizing force.

The survey shows a shift in priorities among Europeans. Economic benefits have traditionally been seen as key advantages, but security has now overtaken them as the top advantage, likely influenced by three years of war in Ukraine. Experts suggest that this heightened focus on security is partly due to uncertainties about the U.S.'s long-term commitment to European security.

In response to these concerns, the European Commission announced the "White Paper on Defense" on March 19. The initiative seeks to strengthen collective defense capabilities through measures such as joint arms procurement, investment in defense industries, and increased security budgets. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas noted, "The international order is undergoing changes unseen since 1945. This is a pivotal moment for European security."

Yet, the rise in EU support does not negate the parallel increase in far-right movements across Europe. These movements, such as Alternative for Germany, the National Rally in France, and Geert Wilders' PVV in the Netherlands, often promote nationalist and Eurosceptic agendas that challenge Brussels' authority.

Dr. Kamil Zajączkowski, director of the European Centre at Warsaw University, observed, "Europeans recognize the need for unity under the EU to compete with global powers like China and India, but nationalistic tendencies persist." Meanwhile, economic concerns such as inflation, rising living costs, and increasing poverty over the next five years remain significant issues for Europeans.

The Eurobarometer study surveyed over 26,000 individuals across all 27 member states, painting a picture of a continent grappling with complex challenges yet increasingly united in its belief that collective action offers safety and strength. The survey results shed light on a Europe configured by the dualities of unity and nationalism, optimism and concern, and an evolving relationship with both the U.S. and Russia.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) may play a significant role in strengthening the EU's collective defense capabilities, as suggested in the "White Paper on Defense."
The TV news coverage of the ongoing war in Ukraine has contributed to a shift in priorities among Europeans, making security the top advantage of EU membership.
The European Commission's new policy-and-legislation initiative aims to address concerns about the U.S.'s long-term commitment to European security by bolstering the EU's defense industry.
The surge in EU support has coincided with a parallel increase in far-right movements across Europe, challenging Brussels' authority and advocating for Eurosceptic agendas.
Fluctuations in general-news headlines such as inflation, rising living costs, and increasing poverty are additional concerns that European citizens are grappling with alongside the complex challenges of immigration and elections.
The findings from the Eurobarometer study indicate that while there is an increasing belief in the EU as a stabilizing force, nationalistic tendencies continue to persist among Europeans.
The Eurobarometer survey also revealed that Poland, with its high approval rating for EU membership, stands out as a key supporter, particularly in the context of competing with global powers like China and India.