2023-06-06 03:12:29
Only about half of Austrians consider next year’s elections to the European Parliament to be “very important” (19 percent) or “important” (30 percent). This is the result of a recent survey by the Austrian Society for European Policy (ÖGfE). Only 25 percent of respondents currently feel well informed about the European elections.
A little more than a third say that the elections taking place in just over a year are “less important” (21 percent) or “not important at all” (13 percent). 17 percent cannot form an opinion on this. In May 2019 – shortly before the last European elections – 46 percent thought the election was “rather important” and 26 percent “very important”.
“Now would be a good time to further raise awareness of European connections and to provide comprehensive information about the role and possibilities of the EU Parliament,” said ÖGfE Secretary General Paul Schmidt in view of the results. “At a time when liberal democracy is coming under increasing pressure, we should all realize the value of being able to have a say in our future in Europe in free elections,” said Schmidt.
According to the ÖGfE, there is still room for improvement in Austria about the only directly elected EU institution. According to the survey, 34 percent of respondents in Austria stated that they “very often” (8 percent) or “often” (26 percent) registered news or information about the European Parliament in the media. A majority of 61 percent, on the other hand, perceives the EU Parliament “rarely” (35 percent) or “very rarely” (26 percent) in the media. Six percent did not comment on this question.
“The currently low values for media perception of the EU Parliament are similar to those that were recorded a year before the last European elections in 2019,” said Schmidt. “Although the EU Parliament makes frequent and prominent statements and takes a clear position – just think of the current position on the Hungarian EU Council Presidency – it becomes particularly visible in public perception when the election debate picks up speed. The closer the election date, the more the EU Parliament becomes an issue,” said Schmidt.
According to Schmidt, the perceived level of information about the work and tasks of the European Parliament has remained constant “at a manageable level” over the years. Currently, a quarter of the Austrians surveyed feel “very well” (three percent) or “rather well” (22 percent) informed. On the other hand, two-thirds felt “rather badly” (41 percent) or “very badly” (25 percent) informed. Nine percent answered “don’t know” or gave no answer. Respondents feel a little less informed than before the 2019 EU elections, when a third said they were up to date on the EU Parliament.
According to the ÖGfE survey, 45 percent have the impression that the European Parliament has a “very large” (ten percent) or “rather large” (35 percent) influence on the decisions of the European Union. 37 percent disagree with this view and state that the EU Parliament has “rather little” (28 percent) or “very little” (nine percent) influence. Around a fifth (19 percent) cannot comment on this question.
“It’s time to focus attention on the European Parliament and do everything we can to further increase voter turnout,” said Schmidt. “Without the involvement and approval of the EU Parliament, nothing works at European level. Strong mandataries and a high turnout are prerequisites for the standing of the EU Parliament to remain high in the future,” said the ÖGfE Secretary General. “The parties campaigning for elections should field committed candidates “who are passionate about their vision for Europe and actively seek open dialogue with the population,” advises the expert.
Voter turnout rose to 59.8 percent in the 2019 European elections in Austria, after 45.39 percent in 2014. The ÖGfE survey was conducted online by the market-Institut from May 26 to 31 of this year among 1,000 respondents throughout Austria carried out. The maximum statistical fluctuation range is 3.16 percent.
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