A new "eupinions" survey conducted by the Bertelsmann Stiftung indicates that 60 percent of Europeans plan to participate in the upcoming European elections this June, marking an increase of about ten percentage points from the last election five years ago. The survey also reveals that 75 percent of Europeans recognize Ursula von der Leyen by name and face. This means that the current Commission President, who will be seeking a second term in office after the European elections, enjoys much greater recognizability than her predecessors. At the same time, 70 percent of respondents feel they lack sufficient information about her work to properly assess her performance. This finding points to a potential need for reforms to strengthen the connection between European citizens and the leadership of the Commission. 

In the EU and US election year of 2024, the situation is escalating for Ukraine. While a majority in the EU and Germany still support aid for Ukraine, this backing is mainly among centrist party supporters. However, consensus across all party differences exists for a common European defense policy, with 87% of all EU citizens and 86% of all Germans supporting it.

One year after Russia began its war of aggression against Ukraine, 61 percent of Europeans are convinced Ukraine will prevail. But worries persist: 68 percent of respondents see the attack on Ukraine as an attack on all of Europe.

A large majority of Europeans continue to support admitting Ukraine to the EU. The willingness to accept refugees also remains strong. However, the level of approval for arms transfers is dropping slightly in all EU states, and in Germany has slipped below the 50% mark for the first time since the war's beginning.

In both the U.S. and Germany, only a little more than half the population is satisfied with how democracy works in their country. Confidence in each government’s ability to solve current problems is similarly divided. There are clear differences in the way digital transformation is being handled. The results of the new eupinions survey will be pre-sented at the U.S.-German Futures Forum, which begins today on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Münster.

Europeans continue to stand firmly by Ukraine's side. A broad majority supports arms deliveries. The willingness to accept Ukraine into the EU remains high. There is also strong support for the need to become more independent in terms of energy supply - even if this means personal cuts. Nevertheless, these attitudes cannot be taken for granted, as there are initial signs that approval is crumbling. 

The rule of law, free elections, freedom of expression – nearly 90 percent of European Union citizens attribute great importance to these basic democratic values. However, Europeans differ in the extent to which they agree with how these values are implemented: Only 60 percent of respondents from the 27 EU countries are satisfied with the state of democracy in the EU. Satisfaction with how democracy works in individual EU member states is as low as 54 percent.

Good news from Europe in the midst of the pandemic: Europeans are very willing to adhere to the rules for combatting COVID-19 and to act as one to overcome the crisis. That is the finding from an eupinions study that surveyed 13,000 EU citizens. eupinions is our tool for researching public opinion across Europe. It is operated in partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation.

A majority of Europeans look positively into their personal future, but negatively into the future of their own country. This optimism paradox runs through all social groups, age groups and countries. At the same time, the strong tendency of Europeans to have a pessimistic view of their own country's future has clear political implications - especially in terms of party preference. This is shown by our new eupinions study "The Optimism Gap". The Belgian versions of this study in Dutch and French were produced with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation.

It's now final, right? In 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU. Now, three-and-a-half years, two prime ministers and one European election later, the divorce papers have been signed, which means Great Britain will exit the European Union on January 31. To find out what comes next, we spoke with our Europe expert, Christian Kastrop.