Italians remain pro-EU but want more help, says survey
(ANSA) – Brussels, October 18 – Italians believe in European integration and have greater faith in the EU than people in other member States but would like more help as the country copes with its longest recession in over 20 years, according to the latest Eurobaromoter economic and social survey commissioned by the European Parliament and released on Friday.
The majority of Italians said they were convinced the EU was able to solve problems better than individual countries, that the euro was crucial in quenching the negative impact of the crisis and that they would like to see the EU budget used to stimulate economic growth and fund scientific research.
The priorities cited instead by the majority of other European nationalities were welfare, education and healthcare.
Overall, 53% of Italians interviewed – a sample of 1,019 citizens – thought anti-crisis measures approved by the EU were more effective than those passed individually by member States, with only 37% saying the opposite.
On the other hand, 50% of other European nationalities polled believed in coordinated measures while 41% trusted those passed by single member States more.
The gap between Italians and other Europeans further increased over the euro currency.
Asked whether it reduced the effects of the crisis, 49% of Italians said yes and 42% no.
Europeans on average were more skeptical, with 51% saying the single currency had not helped and 38% vouching for the euro.
Both Italians and Europeans believe the EU should focus first and foremost on unemployment and growth.
However, 58% of Italians would like the EU budget to be dedicated to economic growth and 36% to scientific research while for the rest of Europe, 50%, wants stronger welfare policies, 43% more education and training, 41% stronger public healthcare – all sectors Italians are less interested in.