Record support for the EU. Europeans consider security as the biggest advantage

Historical maximum has just achieved support for membership in the European Union. As many as 74 percent of the citizens of the Member States believe that belonging to the European Union benefits them. This is the result of the latest eurobarometer study at the request of the European Parliament.

– This is the best result from 83, from the beginning of these research. In Poland, this euroyentziazm is even greater – 84 percent. This is a plus 3 percentage points from the previous study, from 2024 – indicates Jan Niedziak, TVN24 BIS journalist.

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The most frequently indicated reason is not the economy, but safety. After three years of war in Ukraine, it was the protection of peace and strengthening of security became the leading advantage of the Union, even ahead of cooperation between states. This may be the effect of a new American administration approach to Europe.

– We all know that it is not known whether you can really count on Americans today to defend Ukraine and lead to peace that is fair according to Europeans – notes prof. Jan Zielonka, political scientist at the European Center of the University of Warsaw and the University of Oxford.

Parallel to record enthusiasm in many countries, support for far -right groups, often critical of Brussels, is growing. The alternative to Germany in recent elections to the Bundestag reached 20 percent of votes. Gret Wilders announced success in the Netherlands. In France, the records of the National Union of Marine Le Pen are growing. Nationalist, anti -immigration, and often eurosceptic slogans go to an increasing group of voters.

– We have the duality of the situation that European citizens are aware that in this changing international order it is better to perform as an entity called the European Union, otherwise we are drowning in such powers as China, India or the United States, and on the other hand we have these national egoisms – notes dr hab. Kamil Zajączkowski, director of the European University of Warsaw.

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Brussels takes steps to strengthen its position in the eyes of citizens. Although defense issues remain mainly the responsibility of the Member States, it intensifies activities in this area. The answer to the growing threats is presented on March 19, the so -called White Book of Defense, an initiative of the European Commission, which assumes joint purchases of weapons, the development of the EU defense industry and increasing the budget to security.

– International order undergoes changes. Changes that we have not seen since 1945. This is a key moment for European security, a key moment to action – emphasizes Kaja Kallas, head of EU diplomacy.

It is the defense, according to the Eurobarometer respondents, that the community should primarily focus on the competitiveness of European economies, especially in relation to China and the United States. Among the fears for the next five years, the respondents most often indicated inflation and increase in the cost of living, as well as growing poverty.

The study covered over 26,000 people of all 27 Member States. The results show that in the face of global challenges, Europeans believe that together means safer.