For Austrians, “irregular migration” is the “biggest challenge for the EU”, even ahead of the war in Ukraine and climate change: almost half of domestic respondents said so, according to a Eurobarometer survey published on Friday. Migration and climate change should also be “EU priorities”, the study said.
Across the EU, most people (50 percent of respondents) are most concerned about the war in Ukraine, followed by migration and environmental issues.
Optimistic despite concerns
About two-thirds of EU citizens and Austrians are concerned about the EU’s security in the next five years. Nevertheless, according to the survey, 58 percent of Europeans see the EU’s future as fairly optimistic and 37 percent as fairly pessimistic. About half are confident that the EU economy will perform well in the next five years; just under half think not.
EU values remain important
Both respondents across the EU and in Austria described the EU’s main strengths as respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law (38 and 35 percent respectively) and its economic, industrial and trading power (34 and 32 percent respectively). Respect for fundamental rights and values, as well as freedom of expression, are the values that more than half of the survey participants believe are best embodied by the EU.
The Eurobarometer 550 flash survey was conducted in the 27 Member States between 25 June and 2 July 2024. 25,658 EU citizens were interviewed online.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
