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THE STATE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
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in 2015, the Spanish primarily expect support
from the EU in solving internal Spanish prob-
lems – such as, for instance, combatting unem-
ployment. Although its explosiveness has ta-
pered off (down 14 %), this topic is still in first
place with 46 % of mentions. Comparable im-
portance is assigned to the creation of new jobs
in the two other Mediterranean countries – Italy
and France. In both countries, this topic ranges
behind refugee policy in second place, tendency
declining. In the other five states as well, labour
market policy has lost some of its urgency; in
Germany and the Czech Republic this task is
only in fifth place now.
The issue of “combatting terrorism” has de-
veloped diametrically opposed to “unemploy-
ment”. Its relevance has risen in all eight coun-
tries. The fight against terrorism is now held to be
the second most important task facing the EU in
the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Sweden.
In addition to the seven tasks mentioned as
the most important in all the countries, there
are some aspects specific to certain countries.
Especially remarkable, for instance, is that in
Germany the open-ended question about the
most important tasks of the EU prompted the
response of “strengthening cohesion in the EU”
as the third most frequently mentioned issue.
This underscores the rise in importance of the
EU from the German perspective mentioned at
the outset.
Acceptance of measures promoting
integration
In view of the growing sensitivity of citizens in
all eight countries to the importance of the EU,
the question arises as to how integration can be
strengthened. To this end, respondents were
read a list of measures in order to determine
their acceptance. Support is highest for stronger
efforts to secure EU external borders (79 %),
followed in second place by a desire for greater
monitoring of budgetary discipline of Member
States (74 %). The launch of (nationally adjust-
ed) minimum wages throughout the EU meets
with comparable agreement.
1. Refugee policy
2. Fight against unemployment
3. Fight against terrorism
4. Boost the economy
5. Secure peace
6. Reduce sovereign debt/financial situation
of Member States
7. Reduce social inequalities
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
First priority Second priority
43
10
10
10
5
4
3
11
54
18
28
14
24
12 22
7 12
6 10
6 9
Chart 3.
Question: Which tasks should the European Union tackle most urgently?
Figures in per cent. Multiple responses.
Basis: Eligible voters.
Source:
policy matters
.