Recent Eurobarometer data shows there is clear public support for creating a stronger EU, writes Vera Spyrakou.
In the European Parliament’s recent Winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey, 66% of European citizens indicated they want the EU to take on a more significant role in protecting them from global crises and security threats. Support for this view was highest in Sweden (87%), Denmark (80%) and Greece (75%), and lowest in Romania (47%), Poland (44%) and Italy (43%).
Additionally, nearly three-quarters of EU citizens (74%) believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU. This is the highest recorded result for this question in a Eurobarometer survey since it was first introduced in 1983. Respondents cited the EU’s role in maintaining peace and strengthening security (35%) as the primary reason that membership is seen as beneficial.
There is broad consensus among EU citizens that member states should be more united in facing global challenges (89%) and that the EU needs more resources to address future challenges (76%). This level of support is remarkable given the recurring crises Europe has faced in recent years, which have shaken the functioning of the EU. It also suggests that current attempts by the EU to lead on defence and security in light of Donald Trump’s pivot away from NATO will have broad support among the EU’s citizens.
Civic engagement
There is a long running debate about whether Europe has its own “demos” and whether the creation of a European “demos” is necessary for the EU to be truly democratic. However, what is clear is that during periods of crisis, citizens have frequently responded by demanding a more substantial, supportive role from the EU’s institutions.
In this sense, they certainly have a “voice”, even if they are not viewed as a supranational community of people. This might suggest that it is not necessary to create a “demos” to be democratic. Yet, it also implies there is a need for more democratic processes and initiatives that foster a stronger and more united Europe during periods of crisis, such as the current sense of crisis related to Trump’s presidency.
When the EU is seen as united and effective, support indicators rise, which is evident in the recent Eurobarometer figures. Currently, 50% of respondents have a positive image of the EU. Over the past decade, this figure has only been higher once (52%), in spring 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The European Parliament
The survey found 62% of citizens want the European Parliament to play a more significant role. This was an increase of six points compared to early 2024, just before the 2024 European Parliament elections. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, noted that the findings represent “a clear call for action, and we will respond”.
This is not the first time the EU’s institutions have shown willingness to respond to calls for greater unity in the face of a crisis. Previous democratic initiatives, such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, show that it takes two to tango and that it is far from straightforward to reach a solution that can balance the interests of EU citizens, the EU’s institutions and the member states.
Yet it is significant that two-thirds of citizens support a stronger role for the European Parliament. The Eurobarometer survey also highlights the values Europeans would like the European Parliament to defend. The values of peace (45%), democracy (32%) and the protection of human rights at both European and global levels (22%) rank highest. This should be read as a “bottom-up” demand for greater cooperation to protect key European values, regardless of whether there is support for deeper integration in national parliaments and among member state governments.
Security and competitiveness
The survey found that defence and security (36%) and competitiveness, the economy and industry (32%) are the areas citizens want the EU to focus most on to reinforce its global position. Other priority areas include energy independence (27%), food security and agriculture (25%), and education and research (23%).
Economic and security concerns also dominate the issues citizens want the European Parliament to address. This is a clear indicator that citizens expect the EU to strengthen security and competitiveness. It also suggests increasing awareness of the global geopolitical and economic trends threatening Europe’s stability, peace and prosperity.
Another important finding is that 61% of young Europeans are optimistic about the future of the EU, with freedom of movement (32%) and strong relationships and solidarity among member states (28%) seen as the EU’s main strengths among young people. EU leaders would be wise to develop a nuanced understanding of the views of young Europeans given they are the future of Europe.
Towards a stronger EU?
The quest for more unity means there is more work to be done. Active participation by citizens is not a panacea and calls for greater unity can only lead to real progress if they are accompanied by a clear policy response from the EU’s institutions. We are still some distance from the kind of democratic outcomes that citizens are asking for, even if there is a democratic demand from the public for a more active and stronger EU.
The goal of creating a European identity is rooted in the broadest democratic paradigm ever conceived, namely the idea that there should be a continuous consensus that we should care about Europe’s future. In this sense, the Eurobarometer data highlights some of the major international challenges that lie ahead for Europe, but also suggests ways to deal with them, as highlighted by the views of Europe’s people.
Note: This article gives the views of the author, not the position of EUROPP – European Politics and Policy or the London School of Economics. Featured image credit: European Union