Eurobarometer 
The EP and the expectations of European citizens 
 

Plenary Insights – February 2023 

Each plenary session, DG COMM provides relevant public opinion data on key topics on the agenda:

  • One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine: Citizens remain steadfast in their support of Ukraine. Three in four approve of the EU’s support to Ukraine as well as the specific measures including sanctions against Russia, according to the EP’s latest Eurobarometer survey. Hopes for cessation of hostilities in the near future are however low, according to public opinion data on the war in Ukraine collected by POMU.
  • RePowerEU chapters in recovery and resilience plans: Across the EU, about half of respondents (51%) report being aware of a Recovery Plan for their country to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Health”, “energy, environmental issues and climate change”, and “employment and better working condition” are the three areas where EU citizens are expecting the most support under NextGenerationEU funds. Three-quarters of respondents evaluate the REPowerEU plan as a good thing (75%). The highest proportions sharing this view are observed in Romania (87%) and Portugal (91%), while the lowest ones are found in Slovakia (55%) and Czechia (58%). (Eurobarometer survey on the EU recovery plan NextGenerationEU)

  • Adequate minimum income insuring active inclusion: A large majority of EU citizens (89%) agree each EU Member State should have a minimum wage for workers, according to the Standard Eurobarometer 97. Eight in ten believe that income differences are too great and that their national government should take measures to reduce income inequality in their country. Further 73% think that EU institutions should support national governments in this respect. (Eurobarometer survey on Fairness, Inequality and Inter-Generational Mobility) Citizens think the fight against poverty and social exclusion (37%) should be the main priority for the European Parliament to address, the EP’s latest Eurobarometer survey finds. 
  • Istanbul Convention: preventing and combating violence against women: About three-quarters (77%) of women across the EU think that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in physical and emotional violence against women in their country. A clear majority (58%) of women think that a key measure to reduce violence against women is making it easier to report violence against women, including to the police. (Eurobarometer survey on women in times of COVID-19)

  • Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens: 47 % of citizens agree that their voice counts in the EU while 49% think it does not. 46% place high importance on voting in the European elections. Just over half of EU citizens (54%) say they are interested in the next European elections. (EP’s latest Eurobarometer survey)