EXCLUSIVE: EU citizens deliver damning verdict on EU – in EU’s own official survey

Shock for Eurocrats – Only 23% of EU27 citizens are in favour of the current EU

And not one question about the biggest event in recent EU history – the exit of the UK

In its latest EU-wide survey of citizens’ views, the EU’s Spring ‘Eurobarometer’ will not make for comfortable reading in Brussels. Despite the Eurocrats’ usual attempts to extract some positives from the answers to its 29 questions with many possible answers for each, the simple fact is that only 23% of EU citizens said they're in favour of the EU as it is today.

The question asked was: “Which of the following statements regarding the European Union is closest to your opinion?”

Only 23% of all EU27 citizens chose “I’m in favour of the European Union as it has been realised so far”. This percentage has fallen by a further 4% from the 27% which the EU managed in the last survey, only three months previously.

In some countries the response was even lower. For example only 15% of Italian and Greek citizens felt themselves able to give even this somewhat half-hearted endorsement.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org Summary

EU's "Eurobarometer" survey results, published 03 June 2021

Only 23% in favour of EU as it stands
Only 7% have very positive image of EU
Only 3% very satisfied with EU democracy
Only 6% very optimistic about EU’s future
Only 34% believe EU is going in the right direction
Only 48% are satisfied with EU’s handling of Covid crisis
No questions were asked about UK exit, economically equivalent to 18 EU countries leaving at once

In terms of the EU's image in the minds of EU citizens, less than half of them (48%) now have a positive image of the EU. Of this 48%, only 7% had a “very positive” image with 41% being only “fairly positive”.

In some countries it is far worse. In Austria, for example, only 34% have any kind of positive image at all of the EU.

Photo right: Austrian Chancellor Sebasatian Kurz with girlfriend Suzanne Thier

Does the EU have a future? A third of EU citizens are pessimistic

When asked about their level of optimism about the future of the European Union, only 6% of EU27 citizens described themselves as very optimistic”.

Over one-third (36%) of all EU citizens couldn’t muster any level of optimism about the future of the EU at all.

It gets worse. Half of EU27 citizens (49%) think the EU is going in the wrong direction. Only a third (34%) felt able to say they thought the EU’s direction was the right one for them.

What EU citizens think of the EU's democratic deficit

When asked about democracy and the EU, only 3% of EU27 citizens were able to pronounce themselves to be “very satisfied with the way democracy works in the EU”.

The lowest marks came from the French, where just 1% of French citizens declared that they were “very satisfied” with the functioning of EU democracy.

Photo left: French President Emmanuel Macron

When it comes to Covid-19, the EU performs poorly in the survey

Only 48% of EU citizens are satisfied with the measures the EU has taken during the Covid crisis. Indeed less than half even know what the EU has been doing about this in the last 12 months.

An even lower percentage (44%) of citizens in the EU are satisfied with the degree of cooperation between Member States in combating Covid.

When asked about what the EU should prioritise in tackling this crisis, almost 40% of EU citizens identified rapid access to safe and effective vaccines as the most important issue. The second most important issue (29%) was that the EU should put more money into the development of treatments and vaccines.

Talking of vaccines, were there any questions about the more successful Brexit Britain?

The answer is of course no, there were no questions about the most significant fall in the EU’s status and standing for many years. Not one.

Respondents were given no opportunity to express any views whatsoever on the departure on 31 December 2020 of a country representing 13% of the EU’s population and over 15% of the EU’s GDP.

The economic impact of the UK’s departure was greater than the combined economic impact of the departure of 18 of the EU’s 27 countries, all at the same time. Yet it did not merit one single question in the EU’s survey of its citizens.

And finally, how did the EU choose to spin these dire results?

In a typical example of the EU putting as positive a spin as possible on these results, its report describes them thus:

“Despite short-term fluctuations and national variations, overall positive ratings for the EU’s image remain at one of their highest levels in over a decade.”

- EU Parliament statement, 03 June 2021

STOP PRESS

Clich here to read what a national newspaper said about our report.

About the EU’s “Eurobarometer” survey
The EU carries out these extensive EU-wide surveys of public opinion usually twice a year. The European Parliament’s spring 2021 Eurobarometer was conducted between 16 March and 12 April 2021 in the 27 EU Member States. The survey was conducted face-to-face and completed with online interviews where necessary as a result of Covid. 26,669 interviews were conducted in total.

Observations

One of the dangers of asking people what they think of you in an anonymous survey is that people might just tell you. And that is what the citizens of the EU27 countries have just done to the EU.

As ever we are in awe of the EU’s abilities to spin bad news. In its press release on Thursday last week, the EU Parliament’s headline was:

“EU citizens still have broadly positive image of EU but ask for reforms”

- EU Parliament press release, Thur 03 June 2021

Hmmm… Let’s just say that’s an interesting take on things

We can imagine the scene in an EU Brussels office when the results came in....

Junior analyst Francoise: “Mon Dieu, Heinrich, zees results...... zay are un désastre!”
Senior analyst Heinrich: “Kein problem, Francoise meine Liebchen, vee alvays haf vays of making ze figures talk. Just keep calm und carry on, as those Britischers like to say.”

Inexplicably, in its published "highlights" (which is all most people read), the EU failed to mention some of the key results - and omitted to mention some questions altogether. Facts4EU.Org has been happy to put this right in our report above.

When it comes to the detail of the EU’s ‘Eurobarometer’ itself, we have no wish to bore readers. Suffice to say that the report and results run to 150 pages – and that’s without all the appendices. Instead we have produced a readable summary from the mass of information we looked at. We hope it has been useful.

No, neither the EU nor the Euro are about to disintegrate

Despite this survey and its calamitous results for the EU's high command, Facts4EU.Org continues to believe that the EU will muddle on somehow - at least for now. It must be remembered that the majority of EU countries have always been net beneficiaries of "EU money", a great deal of which came from the UK. They would have been unwise to turn this down, and they didn't.

The EU's largesse with British people's money (and that of the other few net contributors to the EU budget) has been compulsorily badged as coming from the EU Commission, on plaques and signage throughout all EU countries. Readers will have seen evidence of this in the UK for many years, despite the fact that this was in effect UK money, rebadged by the EU, and of which only a part was returned in the form of donations to local projects in the United Kingdom.

That said, things are perhaps going to start changing. For example Ireland - one of the most pro-EU countries - is now a net contributor to EU funds after decades of being a net beneficiary. We don't believe that this has yet sunk in in the Republic, but when it does, Irish citizens might start to become more sceptical.

In conclusion, despite all the EU's propaganda and despite our firm belief that the majority of those bothering to take part in these lengthy EU surveys are pro-EU, the results are dismally poor for the EU.

Yes, 'ordinary people' CAN make a difference

Many people like you, our readers, have expressed their profound concerns about the current state of democracy and the direction where this great country of ours is headed. Brexit Facts4EU.Org continues to work behind the scenes - in addition to what you read on our website and in social media - to pressure the Government and MPs.

It has always been everyday people like you who made it possible for Facts4EU.Org to exist and to provide this service. We present facts-based research that most of the MSM fails to provide, and through that give a voice to a more common-sense approach that is shared and sought by so many people, still not being heard as it often differs from the 'party line' or 'right thing to say'.

Yes, you can do something and we hope you will. Please help us out with a donation today, so we can keep fighting for a free, truly independent, and sovereign United Kingdom and research and publish facts presented in a way you won't see anywhere else.

We do not have corporate funders, which makes our monthly planning more difficult, but it means we are not directed by a confined number of donors. We only take directions from our widespread readership - most of you very well informed - by listening to things you say.

Please support our work to enable us to carry on with our research and publishing, thank you. We badly need your help. You will not be badgered by us for more funds, unlike some organisations! Quick, secure, and confidential donation links are below this article, or you can use our Donations page here.

[ Sources: EU Parliament Eurobarometer survey Spring 2021 ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Facts4EU.Org, Tues 08 Jun 2021

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Reader Comments 14

1. Donna / Berks , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 06:46:

Illuminating as always. Whilst the majority still seem to want to be in the EU, this is not the EU they want to be in. Does that sum it up?

2. Meredith, South Wales , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 08:09:

This report is packed full of interesting numbers. Less than half have a positive image of the EU, "one-third (36%) of all EU citizens couldn’t muster any level of optimism about the future of the EU at all", "half of EU27 citizens (49%) think the EU is going in the wrong direction".
I wish them all well but I'm so glad we're out of this mess.

3. Julie Dyson , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 08:28:

Spot on, Donna. Still, kudos to the EU for actually having the coglioni to publish these terrible results, albeit hidden behind the (rather amusing) spin of their press office. I suppose there's always a very tiny chance that they may collectively sit up and take notice of the finer details - for a change - but I won't be holding my breath. The main problem with the EU is, and always has been, that they believe their own spin.

4. Beverley Atkinson , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 08:35:

Better get out now before it's too late

5. James Bertram , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 09:03:

Good report and very glad we left this mess (as long as we can keep our politicians true to this).
-
However, a criticism that cannot be left out. This website, despite my recent comments on your Covid articles, still seems to regard the vaccine roll-out as a great success. Logistically this may be so, but medically and ethically I regard it as a looming disaster. [Remainder edited out.]

6. Ian Small , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 09:14:

I'm not laughing, honest

7. Brian Emmerson , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 15:26:

The majority in the UK knew, however, there are still some and many of them quite vocal, who still haven't grasped the reality of the EU.

8. Diane , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 16:16:

A thought for a further poll question … How do EU citizens feel about bangers ? Today folks, in the Media the subject is Sausages. Those very tasty British morsels which Britain produces with great expertise and fine ingredients and which most of us would very much like to ensure reach our valued, fellow UK citizens in Northern Ireland, together with that everyday staple culinary workhorse ( no pun intended ) of British mince. But, this is not allowed of course and EU officials and several very senior leaders, no less, are stating in no uncertain terms in their usual way that we must step in line & deny these goodies to our fellow citizens. Pedantry personified. Much of it for the benefit of its own EU members’ consumption. I assume it’ll be fine though for them to eat Irish sausages plus perhaps 26 other varieties from heaven knows where ( That reminds me, Facts4eu’s report on hideous pork processing a few days ago ! ) and I assume there is plenty of Irish beef mince at their disposal, particularly as many are avoiding Irish beef in our own local supermarkets here in Britain where there might be an option to purchase British as the alternative. I can confess to that sin. We have until the end of June to decide if we want to continue to unilaterally use common sense for a little while longer & common sense interpretation of this fiasco of an agreement - well, not an option the EU is willing to grant to us of course as we are threatened with a trade war, further legal actions in their court and a promise that “the bloc’s retaliation would be so crushing it would ensure the UK abides by its international law obligations” and also reminding us that “ the EU was not afraid” to put its hands in that Toolbox again ! Anything they can find in the Brexit Toolbox to exert heavy tariffs on British exports & inflict damage on any other parts of the trade agreement they will use. (Continued below)

9. Diane , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 16:19:

Continued :
For once they threaten to react quickly – they proved already they can do that - Mrs v der L’s actions back in January - and with ‘firmness and resolution’. I would use different terms for the latter. We chose the wrong type of Brexit you see. And the wrong type of UK Chief Negotiator. He’s too inflexible and confrontational you see and we must be cowed. Pathetic. I know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and the government has much to solve and answer for, but it’s all beyond common sense and friendly, mutual cooperation.

10. Brexiter Braintree Essex , Tuesday, June 08, 2021, 19:40:

The British Government should take retaliatory and punitive action EU,its the only language they understand.Ban car imports,wine imports,up the anti,Trump did it and the EU came to heel.The EU is a bully call their bluff, and hit back hard,all this "our european friends and neighbours", is perceived by the EU as a sign of weakness.Giving into them is not the answer,nor is the so called softly softly diplomatic approach.We have left their totalitarian regime, time for us to assert our independence,cut down on EU meat and increase supplies from Australia,Argentina,hit them where it hurts,in their export market .

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