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THE EU IN THE WAKE OF BREXIT. RESULTS OF A REPRESENTATIVE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN EIGHT EU COUNTRIES
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advocate tighter cooperation among remaining
Member States. In all countries today, signifi-
cantly more citizens are convinced that EU
membership is positive for their country. It is
viewed once again as more of an opportunity
than risk, and a majority believe that the EU
meets its main purpose – bringing about pros-
perity. Apparently, Brexit and other challenges
have made citizens more aware of the value
that cooperation has to offer for their country,
but also for them personally.
From a German perspective, the fact that
above all Germans have developed a new sensi-
tivity to the benefits that the country derives
from EU membership is especially heartening.
The conviction that it is time for more and not
less common action is nowhere as pronounced
as in the German population.
The willingness to shift more competencies to
the European level has also risen in all countries.
This goes in particular for foreign and security
policy, yet also for the taxation of multinational
corporations as well as trade relations with third
countries. Significant differences remain with re-
gard to responsibility for refugee policy.
Clear constraints on Europeanisation re-
main, however. This applies especially to budg-
etary sovereignty, but also to pension and un-
employment insurance, which large majorities
consider a national responsibility. Majorities in
all eight countries furthermore call for the intro-
duction of a right for their national parliaments
to object to and appeal EU decisions.
Additionally, clear majorities in all countries
speak out in favour of referendums on impor-
tant decisions – another “emergency brake”.