Eorabharaiméadar 
PE agus a mbíonn saoránaigh na hEorpa ag súil leis 
 

Plenary Insights – December 2020 

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, DG Communication has commissioned three consecutive surveys measuring European public opinion during this pandemic. The results provide insights on citizens’ recall of and satisfaction with the measures taken by the EU and national governments to fight the virus. They shed light on the level of satisfaction of the Europeans with the solidarity between EU Member States, their support for more EU competences and their stance regarding the EU budget and the Rule of Law conditionality. The results also give insights on how limitations to individual freedoms are perceived as well as on people’s state of mind in the midst of the crisis.

For the December plenary session, relevant survey data is available on:

  • Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020, especially on the EU’s long-term budget: vast citizens’ support for EU to provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government’s implementation of the rule of law and of democratic principles; EU should have greater financial means to tackle the pandemic; number one spending priority according to citizens is public health.
  • Award of the Sakharov Prize: ‘the protection of human rights worldwide’ is the number one value the EP should defend, according to Parlemeter 2019 survey.
  • Preparation of an EU strategy on COVID-19 vaccination, including its external dimension: According to citizens, EU’s top priorities in its response to Coronavirus should be to ensure that sufficient medical supplies are available for all EU Member States. However, despite encouraging news regarding vaccines, many citizens seem reluctant to be vaccinated. The number of people sceptical towards taking a jab is even on the rise.
  • European Citizen’s Initiative - Minority Safepack: According to the Parlemeter 2019, nearly one in five EU respondents (18%) mention ‘the protection of minorities’ as a pressing value to fight for.