Austrians are becoming increasingly EU-skeptical. This is evident from a recent Eurobarometer survey. Only 35 percent of those surveyed view the EU as a whole as “positive”. Just under a third of Austrians want to admit more states to the Union.
The EU average is much less skeptical. By contrast, the rejection rate in the Alpine Republic has actually increased by four percentage points to 30 percent since the last Eurobarometer. Across the EU, only 18 percent of those surveyed think the Union is that negative.
56 percent for closer defense policy cooperation
Austrian respondents are also very skeptical about close European cooperation in the military field: in the Eurobarometer survey, only 56 percent were in favor of a common EU security and defense policy. Across Europe, approval is significantly higher at 77 percent.
On the other hand, the willingness not only to provide humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine remains high everywhere: about two-thirds of Europeans and almost half of those polled in Germany are in favor of Ukraine becoming a candidate for accession. 86 percent of European and 73 percent of domestic survey participants want to continue taking in Ukrainian displaced persons. Two-thirds of Europeans support military aid to Ukraine, but only 40 percent of Austrians.
Looking to the future has certainly become more optimistic: more respondents described their own living situation as ‘good’ than in the survey conducted four months earlier. Here the Austrians are more positive with 51 percent than the EU average with 40 percent. About a third of all respondents expect the economic situation to deteriorate over the next twelve months. The other participants in the study expect a better or stable situation.
Inflation, climate change and migration are the main concerns
Europeans and Austrians continue to be the most concerned about rising prices and the cost of living, with 61 percent of Austrian respondents seeing this as the biggest problem in their own country. 45% of our European neighbors agree. In Austria, this is followed by climate change and migration, each at 21 percent.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
