Amid legitimate fears about the future of the European Union, and continentwide support for eurosceptic political parties rising, a strange thing emerged this week. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, public support for the EU is the highest since measuring began in 1983.
A majority of people in 27 of 28 member states feel their country has benefitted from EU membership. Even in the lone exception, Italy, more people agree that the country has benefitted than disagree (44 percent versus 41 percent). Overall, 67 percent of Europeans believe their own country benefits from EU membership, as compared to just 12 percent who say it is a bad thing. Meanwhile, for the first time since 2007, Europeans are more likely than not to agree that “my voice counts in the EU”.
In Central Europe support for the EU is even stronger.
