Flash Eurobarometer XXX 

TITLE

Survey commissioned by the European Parliament and co-ordinated byDirectorate-General for Communication (Public Opinion Monitoring Unit).

 Flash Eurobarometer XXX / Month 201X – TNS Political & Social

Eurobarometer 77.4 

TWO YEARS TO GO TO THE 2014 EUROPEAN ELECTIONS

This survey has been requested by the European Parliament and coordinated byDirectorate-General for Communication (Public Opinion Monitoring Unit).

 EB77.4 – TNS Opinion & Social

A. Methodology

2

Methodology

o Survey based on face-to-face interviews in the respondent’s home

o Fieldwork: from 2 to 17 June 2012

o Population: representative sample of the population aged 15 or over

o Coverage: 27 European Union Member States

o Number of interviews : 26 622

Special Eurobarometer

3

B. Structure

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1. The image of the EU

2. The feeling of membership to the EU

3. European identity and citizenship

• National identity and European identity• Elements of European identity• Strengthening the feeling of being European

4. Priority policies

5. Lack of knowledge on European institutions

6. The role played by the European Parliament

7. Making my voice heard in the EU

8. The election of the President of the European Commission

9. European Citizens’ Initiative and the Charter of Fundamental Rights

• The Citizens’ Initiative• The Charter of Fundamental Rights

B. Structure

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1. The image of the EU

6

1.1 The image of the EU

A relative majority of Europeans are positive about the EU

7One answer only

2. The feeling of membership to the EU

8

2.1 An absolute majority of Europeans believe that EU

membership is a good thing

9

One answer only

3. European identity and citizenship

10

3.1 National identity and European identity

A relative majority of Europeans define themselves solely by their nationality

11

One answer only

3.2 The elements of the European identity

Democracy and freedom are the most frequently mentioned values in the

EU, closely followed by the euro

12Maximum 3 answers

3.3 Strengthening the feeling of European citizenship

A harmonised social welfare system and the freedom to live anywhere

13

Maximum 6 answers

4. Priority policies

14

4.1 Combating poverty is still seen as the top priority for the

European Parliament; little change since autumn 2011

15Maximum 4 answers

4.2 Combating poverty is still seen as the top priority for the

European Parliament; little change since September 2010

16Maximum 4 answers

4.3 Economic issues, especially unemployment, are the core

priorities of Europeans

17

One answer only

5. Lack of knowledge on European institutions

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5.1 The European Parliament is the only Community institution to

be mentioned spontaneously by more than half of respondents

19

Open-ended question; several answers

5.2 More than two-thirds of Europeans know little or nothing

about how the EU and its institutions work

20

One answer per item

5.3 An absolute majority of Europeans see the Parliament as the

institution which best represents the EU

21

One answer only

6. The Role of the European Parliament

22

6.1 Although more than 7 out of 10 Europeans still consider that the EP

plays an important role, the percentage has fallen since 2011

23One answer only

Total ‘Not important’ : +4%

Total ‘Important’ : -6%

7. Making my voice heard in the EU

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7.1 Over half of Europeans still think that their voice does not

count in the EU

25

One answer per item

7.2 Voting in the European elections is seen as by far the best

way of making one’s voice heard

Maximum 3 answers

26

8. The election of the President of the European Commission

27

8.1 More than three-quarters of Europeans do not know how the

President of the European Commission is appointed

28One answer only

Correct answer

8.2 Over half of Europeans would be encouraged to vote in the European

elections if they participated indirectly in the election of the President

of the European Commission

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Total ‘Yes’ : 54%Total ‘No’: 36%

One answer only

9. European Citizens’ Initiative and Charter of Fundamental Rights

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9.1 The European Citizens’ Initiative

More than 7 out of 10 Europeans have not heard of the Citizens’ Initiative

31

Total ‘Yes’ : 26%

Total ‘No’ : 72%

One answer only

9.2 The European Citizens’ Initiative

Areas in which to use the Initiative: employment overwhelmingly tops the list

32Maximum 5 answers

9.3 The Charter of Fundamental Rights

An absolute majority of Europeans have not heard of the Charter

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Total ‘No’: 59%

Total ‘Yes’: 39%

One answer only

9.4 The Charter of Fundamental Rights

Citizens in the Czech Republic are the most likely to have heard of the Charter

34

One answer only

9.5 The Charter of Fundamental Rights

Citizens attach particular importance to the freedom of movement but

also demand sound administration

35Maximum 3 answers

Thank you for your

attention

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