Fifty-two percent of citizens have confidence in the European Union, the best result since 2007, according to the latest Eurobarometer results published on Wednesday, writes N1.
According to a survey conducted from March 26 to April 22 this year in all 27 member states, 52 percent of citizens tend to trust the European Union. In Croatia, the figure is slightly lower, at 50 percent.
This is the highest level of trust in the last 18 years. The most trusting group is young people aged 15 to 24, with 59 percent of them inclined to trust the European Union.
Trust in national parliaments and governments is significantly lower. At the EU level, 37 percent of respondents tend to trust the national parliament, and 36 percent the national government. In Croatia, 34 percent of respondents tend to trust the Parliament and the government.
The survey showed the highest support for the common currency euro so far, 74 percent in the EU27 and 83 percent in the euro area.
Croatians are most concerned about inflation
When asked what are the two biggest problems facing your country, Croats put inflation and the rise in living costs first (54 percent), followed by the economic situation (25 percent).
At the EU level, inflation is also in first place, but in a significantly smaller percentage (31 percent), and the economic situation is also in second place (20 percent).
When asked what the two biggest challenges the EU is currently facing are, the first place is Russia's aggression against Ukraine, 34 percent in Croatia and 27 percent in the EU. The second place is the international situation, 27 percent in Croatia, 24 percent in the EU.
Croatians were more optimistic when asked what kind of economic situation they expect in the next 12 months. 26 percent of them believe that the situation will be better, 41 percent that it will be the same, and 32 percent that it will be worse. In the EU, 39 percent believe that it will be better, 39 percent that it will be the same, and 40 percent that it will be worse.
43 respondents in Croatia and at the EU level have a completely positive image of the EU. 40 percent in Croatia and 38 percent in the EU are neutral on this issue.
A solid majority is optimistic about the future of the EU, 62 percent at the EU level and 63 percent in Croatia.
When it comes to EU budget priorities, European citizens would like the most money to be allocated to defence and security (43 percent), employment, social affairs and public health (42 percent), and education, training, youth, culture and media (34 percent).
In terms of Russia's war against Ukraine, 80 percent of European respondents agree with the EU accepting people fleeing the war (76 percent in Croatia), while more than three-quarters of Europeans (76 percent) support providing financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine (79 percent in Croatia).
Almost three-quarters, 72 percent of EU citizens support economic sanctions against the Russian government, companies and individuals (in Croatia 73 percent), while 60 percent approve of the EU granting Ukraine candidate country status (in Croatia 74 percent), and 59 percent agree with EU funding for the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine (in Croatia 69 percent).
Source: N1
Photo: Pixabay
