ÖGfE-Schmidt: Trend reversal – two months before the European elections, rejection of EU membership is declining

2024-04-04 05:01:06

65 percent for EU membership, 23 percent against | 54 percent “certainly” want to cast their vote in the European elections, 25 percent “more likely” – survey

Vienna (OTS) – „DTwo months before the European elections, support for EU membership remains at a stable level at 65 percent. At the same time is the number of those who want to leave the EU, since yesstart of the year from 29 percent to 23 percent, the lowest level in the last two years. A flattening inflation trend, declining migration figures as well as the start of a more intensive European debate are starting to have an impact“comments Paul Schmidt, Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Policy (ÖGfE), on the results of a current, Austria-wide ÖGfE survey.

Im long-term trend (70 surveys since 1995), the number of supporters of domestic EU membership is on average 70 percent; the number of those who prefer an EU exit is 22 percent.

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“There is also a chance of a relatively high voter turnout in the European elections”said Schmidt. “In any case, it seems important to the people in Austria to be able to elect the European Parliament directly and they would like to use this opportunity.” 54 percent say they are “certain” to take part in the European elections, and a further 25 percent say this is “somewhat”. In contrast, only 5 percent say that they will rule out casting their vote, and 8 percent say they will “probably not” go to the polling station on June 9th. “The current data confirms the consolidation of a development that has been observed since autumn 2023: 51 percent said in September 2023 and January 2024, respectively, that they would certainly take part in the EU elections, 27 and 28 percent respectively imagine the “rather”.”

Almost eight out of ten respondents (79 percent) say that it is “very important” (46 percent) or “somewhat important” (33 percent) to them that the European Parliament in all EU member states is directly informed by citizens is chosen. However, just over a tenth (13 percent) consider this “not at all” (8 percent) or “not at all” (5 percent) important. “I am voting because I always want to make use of my democratic right to vote” – this motive is considered “very important” by a total of 95 percent of those who are “certain” or “likely” to take part in the European elections. (75 percent) or “important” (20 percent). The second most important motivation for voting is the desire for Austria to be well represented in the EU (86 percent “very/somewhat important”). 74 percent want to vote because they believe that “the European Parliament is an important institution in the EU”.

“It is encouraging that participation in democratic processes is highly valued in Austria. “In the next two months, the public debate on Europe will gain momentum and thus confirm the willingness to vote,” so Schmidt. “Almost two out of three respondents said they would strengthen the party they would vote for in the National Council elections on June 9th. Domestic politics should therefore not be indifferent to how the European elections turn out. In any case, the coming weeks offer a good opportunity to show that every voice counts and that Austria’s voice is also heard in the EU.”

Background:
The current survey was conducted by market (www.market.at) from March 19 to 25, 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”.