Seven out of 10 Europeans believe that their country welcomes too many immigrants

Europeans view migration with increasing suspicion. Seven out of 10 Europeans believe that their country welcomes too many immigrants, according to a survey carried out by BVA Xsight for ARTE Europa Semanal, a project led by the Franco-German network ARTE GEIE and of which EL PAÍS is a part, within the framework countdown to the European elections. 85% of those surveyed are in favor of taking more actions to combat irregular immigration. And only 39% believe that Europe needs the contribution of migrants today.

Where most people consider immigration a problem is in Bulgaria (74% of those interviewed), the Czech Republic (73%), Hungary and Cyprus (68%, in both cases). Paradoxically, in Italy, the European country where the largest number of immigrants entered clandestinely last year (157,652), 44% highlight this and only 14% see it as the main problem. And in Greece and Spain, which are the second and third countries with the most irregular entries in 2023, respectively, only 11% of respondents consider it their first concern, below the 17% European average. However, Greece is the country where the most people believe there is an excess of foreigners, with 90%.

These are some of the conclusions that a survey shows —whose full version can be consulted at this link— carried out electronically between March 27 and April 9 in the 27 Member States. 22,726 people over 15 years of age have been interviewed, with a representative sample from each country. In addition to El PAÍS, the media have collaborated in the survey Gazeta Wyborcza, Internazionale, Ir, Kathimerini, Le Soir and Telex.

Beyond the data on migration, health is the biggest concern of Europeans (41%), followed by the war in Ukraine (38%). Third place is disputed with the same percentage (24%) by the environment and inflation. Afterwards, each country presents its uniqueness in the order of priorities. France is the country where inflation is most alarming (40% of those surveyed are concerned); in Poland they focus on security (28%); in Ireland it is housing (43%); in Hungary, questioning democracy (22%). And Spain is the EU country most concerned about unemployment (29%, more than double the European average).

This continental portrait comes to light a month before more than 400 million people belonging to the 27 countries of the European Union are called to vote in the elections to the European Parliament, which will be held between June 6 and 9. The voters will elect 705 MEPs in a Chamber whose composition will be key to deciding issues such as pushing or stopping a policy of self-defense, or the promotion of measures for the green transition and against climate change, threatened by the extreme right, to which the polls predict a clear electoral rise. 70% of those interviewed declare their interest in these elections, which in Spain will be held on June 9.

On the economic side, 73% of those surveyed feel optimistic about their personal future, although 57% believe that the economic situation in the EU and in their own country (63%) have worsened.

Only a third of respondents believe that EU decisions have a positive impact on their lives. And there is only one country, Portugal, where the majority – even 51% – have highlighted the positive influence of the EU on their lives. Portugal is followed by Spain, Luxembourg, Malta and Romania, all of them with 43% positive responses. At the opposite pole, France and the Czech Republic (21% in both cases), are where the least people believe that the EU affects their lives favorably, followed by Hungary (24%) and the Netherlands (26%).

In the population as a whole, only 9% admit to feeling more European than their nationality. In several of the States that joined the EU more recently, citizens recognize that, when voting, they prioritize their national needs over European ones: Romania (82%), Bulgaria (81%), Greece and Latvia (79%, in both cases). However, the majority of countries would like to see the common European policy strengthened, especially in defense (72%) and immigration (70%).

Pollsters believe the poll paints a portrait of a Europe divided between those who worry more about the “end of the world” – security and the war between Russia and Ukraine – and those who focus more on “end of the month” issues. ”. In the first group would be Estonia, Finland and Poland, closer to the Russian borders. And in the second, more concerned about the loss of purchasing power, are France, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal.

The war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 may have served to reinforce the feeling of belonging to the EU. But it was not like that. Only 14% of citizens say they feel more European than before the invasion of Ukraine. And 15% of those surveyed consider themselves less European since the beginning of the conflict.

Fear of an imminent war

62% of Europeans fear an imminent war with Russia, a fear that is felt most strongly in the countries geographically closest to the invading country, such as Poland, the Baltic States, Finland and Romania. Only 30% think that Europe has enough military resources to respond to a possible attack. Although 61% believe that the EU should strengthen its support for Ukraine, a similar majority (63%) believe that a ceasefire should be negotiated.

63% of Europeans are in favor of Ukraine’s entry into the EU. However, the countries most favorable to negotiations with Vladimir Putin (Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria) are also the most reluctant to the entry of Ukrainians into the community club.

Climate change, important for 82%

The environment occupies, along with the loss of purchasing power, the third place in the concerns of Europeans. Last year was the warmest on Earth since records began in the 19th century. Europeans feel concerned. 82% assu
me that climate change is an important problem. And for 43%, fighting against warming is a priority, especially in southern Europe – Malta, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus and Spain – where droughts and heat waves are most suffered. 67% say they have changed their behavior in the past year, but only 13% have done so profoundly.

The measures that generate the most support to combat climate change are those decided by governments and the European Parliament, such as the reduction of pesticides (60%) or massive investment in public transport (57%). However, decisions that involve changes in individual behavior, such as increasing taxes to reduce personal vehicle use, are accepted in only 21% of cases.

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