2024-01-21 23:49:40
51 percent want to take part in the European elections “certainly” / 58 percent think the activities of the EU Parliament are important – survey
Vienna (OTS) – “At the start of the European election year 2024, the people in Austria want the EU to put the fight once morest inflation at the top of their list of priorities. The willingness to take part in the European elections in June is high. The same applies to support for domestic EU membership, even if their support has been stronger in recent years,” says Paul Schmidt, Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Policy (ÖGfE), summarizing the main results of the current ÖGfE survey.
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In the Austria-wide online survey conducted by market from January 2nd to 4th, 2024 among 1,000 respondents aged 16 to 80, 66 percent of those surveyed said that Austria should remain a member of the European Union. This corresponds roughly to the value of the last survey from September 2023, when 65 percent were in favor of membership. The number of those who are in favor of our country leaving the EU is currently 29 percent, which corresponds to an increase of 2 percentage points. 5 percent cannot or do not want to take a position on this question.
Im long-term trend (69 surveys since 1995), the number of supporters of domestic EU membership is on average 70 percent, which is significantly higher than the number of those who prefer an exit from the EU (22 percent). However, rejection of membership has increased sharply in recent years: While in December 2019 only 8 percent – the lowest value in the entire measurement period – wanted to leave the EU, almost 3 out of 10 respondents are now in favor of it.
“Support for EU membership in Austria is at a consistently high level, but crises and uncertainty still leave their mark. If they prove to be particularly stubborn and the domestic EU debate does not move forward, a reversal of the trend seems difficult for the skeptics, at least at the moment. This would be all the more important, especially in view of the upcoming European elections and the associated decisions for the future of the EU.”
51 percent of those surveyed are “sure” that they will cast their vote five months before the next European elections. 28 percent can “somewhat” imagine this. The number who “tend to” rule out taking part in the EU elections is small at 10 percent, as are those who “certainly don’t” want to take part (5 percent). 5 percent do not declare themselves. Compared to a comparative survey from September 2023, there have been hardly any changes in willingness to vote.
58 percent say that they consider the work and tasks of the European Parliament to be important (21 percent “very” / 37 percent “somewhat”). A total of 38 percent, however, consider this to be “not at all” important (22 percent) or “not at all” important (16 percent). 5 percent cannot form an opinion on this.
“In the last European elections in 2019, voter turnout in Austria was almost 60 percent, a comparatively high value that can be achieved once more this year and might even be exceeded. In the coming months, it will be particularly important to convince those who are not yet entirely sure regarding their willingness to take part. The fact that the EU Parliament – as the only directly elected EU institution – is viewed by the majority as important is a good starting point and a positive signal in times of widespread political fatigue,” emphasizes Schmidt.
According to people in Austria, the EU should devote itself primarily to combating inflation in the new year. 68 percent see this as a “high priority,” 23 percent as “medium” and only 5 percent as “low.” In second place is the desire for a uniform asylum and migration policy: 59 percent see this as a high priority, 27 percent as a medium priority, while a tenth see it as less urgent. To a similar extent, respondents advocate that the EU undertakes to reduce the gap between rich and poor (57 percent “high”, 31 percent “medium” and 9 percent “low” priority).
“In view of the continued high level of inflation, it is hardly surprising that people in Austria are demanding action, especially in this area. “It fits that reducing the gap between rich and poor comes third on the priority list,” says Schmidt. “However, the comparatively low priority given to strengthening the EU’s global role, supporting Ukraine and future enlargement of the Union should give cause for reflection.”
Background:
The current survey was conducted by market (www.market.at) from January 2nd to 4th, 2024 on behalf of the ÖGfE. 1000 people across Austria were surveyed online, Austrian population, 16 to 80 years old, representative of age, gender, region and education. Maximum statistical fluctuation range +/- 3.16 percent. Difference to 100 percent due to rounded values. Missing values at 100 percent = “don’t know / no answer”.
Questions & Contact:
Mag. Paul Schmidt
Austrian Society for European Politics
Tel.: (+43-1) 533 49 99
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.oegfe.at
1705888081
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