Eurobarometer, the surprise: Italians more pro-European than the EU average

BRUSSELS - The Eurobarometer survey published today, Wednesday 4 February, by the European Parliament contains results that are in many ways surprising. Not only do Italians appear more concerned than the average European citizen about the current situation, but they also turn out to be more pro-European, despite the presence of a government, the one headed by Giorgia Meloni, that tends to be nationalist, and crossed at least in a component of the majority by a Eurosceptic streak.

According to the survey, 83% of Italians are concerned about wars and conflicts in the vicinity of the European Union (compared to 72% of Europeans); 76% are pconcerned about dependence on third countries for their defence (the European average stands at 59%); 83% are concerned about terrorism (compared to 67% of Europeans); again 83% are concerned about natural disasters aggravated by climate change (the European average is 66%).

In this context, 67% of the Italians surveyed for the opinion poll believe that "the role of the European Union in protecting European citizens against global crises and security risks" should become more important (the European average is 66%). 91% think that member countries should be more united (European average is 89%). 80% think that the Union should have "more means to face today's global challenges" (European average is 73%).

67% of Italians are optimistic about the future of the EU (the European average is 57%). To strengthen its role in the world, the EU should focus on defence and security (according to 43% of Italians and 40% of Europeans); on competitiveness and the economy (according to 37% of Italians and 32% of Europeans); and on energy and infrastructure (according to 31% of Italians and 29% of Europeans). More generally, 51% of Italians have a positive view of the EU (compared to 49% of Europeans).

International upheavals are causing new forms of Europeanism, perhaps more opportunistic than idealistic, but still significant. 52% of Italians believe that Italy's participation in EU integration is a good thing (seven points up on the previous poll in February-March 2024). At the European level, the percentage is 62% (up two points compared to the poll two years ago).