2023-05-02 03:23:16
According to a recent survey by the Austrian Society for European Policy (ÖGfE), a clear majority of Austrians are in favor of a more intensive EU security and defense policy, but reject NATO membership. If a referendum on NATO membership were scheduled now, six out of ten respondents would be once morest it and two out of ten would be in favor. 68 percent are in favor of Austria remaining a member of the EU.
“Skepsis and uncertainty are increasing, but the basic support for EU membership is out of the question in Austria, especially in times of crisis,” said ÖGfE Secretary General Paul Schmidt, according to the broadcast, analyzing the results of the survey conducted by the market opinion research institute on April 11. by 13 April was conducted online among 1,000 respondents across Austria (maximum statistical range of variation +/- 3.16 percent). “The population also says yes to stronger European cooperation in security and defense, while on the other hand joining NATO is firmly rejected.”
25 percent are currently in favor of Austria leaving the European Union. Seven percent answered “don’t know” or gave no answer. In September 2022, according to the ÖGfE, 64 percent were in favor of remaining in the EU and 27 percent in favor of leaving.
“Sentiment in the EU has stabilized in recent months and is in line with the long-term average – despite – or perhaps because of – the challenging times marked by war, inflation and climate concerns,” emphasized Schmidt. “But what is urgently needed is tangible problem solving and a more intensive examination of skepticism and criticism, because major upheavals in particular have to be explained and discussed. Politicians are called upon to provide orientation, to develop practical concepts for the future and to actively introduce them to the European stage.”
If a referendum on Austria’s accession to NATO were scheduled for next Sunday, 61 percent would be once morest it and 21 percent would be in favor. Another fifth (19 percent) did not comment on this. Over the past three years, notwithstanding the Russian attack on Ukraine, opinion on this issue has remained more or less constant. However, two thirds (67 percent) are in favor of intensifying cooperation between EU member states in security and defense policy. 20 percent are of the opposite opinion, 13 percent do not comment. Compared to March 2022, the opinion has hardly changed, the ÖGfE said.
About half of the respondents (51 percent) consider it “very important” (25 percent) or “rather important” (26 percent) that the EU and its member states continue to support Ukraine in its fight once morest the Russian attack. Just over a third (36 percent) don’t see it that way and rate it as “rather not important” (15 percent) or “not important at all” (21 percent). 13 percent cannot or do not want to commit themselves.
“Unlike in Sweden and Finland, NATO membership is rejected by a large majority. Regardless of the ‘neutral’ mood that determines opinion in this country, a majority is in favor of stronger cooperation between the EU countries in matters of security and defense, but also for continued support for Ukraine. In any case, EU membership is not viewed as a contradiction to neutrality, and a stronger, independent Europe in the world is fundamentally advocated,” said Schmidt.
When asked which global players are considered “trustworthy partners”, the Austrians mostly showed distrust. There is still broad agreement in the assessment of Russia and China compared to a survey conducted in Germany in March 2023 (ARD DeutschlandTrend). Only nine percent of respondents in Austria see Russia as a partner our country can trust, while 79 percent take the opposite view. Twelve percent of Austrians see the People’s Republic of China as a partner who can be trusted, but 72 percent do not see it that way. India is recognized as a trustworthy partner by 27 percent, while this is not the case for 46 percent.
Clearer differences in the opinions of Austrians and Germans can be seen in the assessment of the USA and Ukraine. 34 percent in Austria see the USA as a partner they can trust. 47 percent don’t see it that way. In Germany, 59 percent described the USA as a trustworthy partner. 28 percent of Austrians classify Ukraine as a trustworthy partner, but 47 percent of Germans do. 50 percent of respondents in Austria do not see Kiev as a partner, in Germany it is 39 percent.
“The USA and Ukraine are seen as trustworthy partners much less frequently in this country than is the case in Germany, for example. The neutrality motive plays an important role in this assessment, as does criticism of NATO, capitalism and imperialism, which is still present, and not too underestimating voices that advocate an alternative narrative to the Russian war in Ukraine,” says Schmidt.
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