The tensions between the US and China are a source of great concern to people living in the EU. At the same time, the uncertain global situation is increasing their desire for a more sovereign Europe. The world’s two superpowers are viewed differently by Europeans: While the latter continue to feel a bond with the US, they see China largely as a competitor. One area where the EU’s citizens are particularly critical of the People’s Republic is data protection.

The new European Commission is expected to officially take office on December 1. Ursula von der Leyen, the elected President of the Commission, has already set the first priorities, but what do Europeans expect from Europe? The latest edition of "eupinions" shows that protecting the environment is very high on many citizens' to-do list. However, at a personal level, Europeans are primarily concerned about the rising cost of living and their jobs.

Europeans will primarily determine who set the tone in Brussels and Strasbourg in the future. However, they are divided on their assessment of society and the EU. The pessimists among them have more sympathy for the national-populist movements, while the optimists support pro-European parties. One thing unites both camps, however: The vast majority wants to take part in the European elections.

The political drama called Brexit leaves observers in London fascinated, appalled or exhausted. Whereas in the UK, the tension seems to intensify with every twist and turn the British take on their way out of the European Union, Europeans on the continent seem to be surprisingly detached. They support their country's membership in the EU in ever greater numbers, and calmly carry on with their daily business.  

Many citizens across the European Union lack a basic understanding of algorithms. As part of a cross-national representative survey conducted in Europe, we have examined what Europeans know about algorithms, what they think of them, and what they hope algorithms can achieve.

It is popular to desire a supposedly better past: Donald Trump's promise to lead the US back to the top again took him to the White House. Brexit supporters have mobilized voters with memories of a time when the UK ruled the seas of the world. The latest issue of eupinions has studied how receptive Europeans are overall to the siren song of the "good old days".

Right-wing conservative parties are mobilizing votes throughout Europe with their criticism of globalization and the EU. By contrast, centrist parties cannot agree about how best to respond to this policy of rejection. The current edition of eupinions shows what Europeans think about globalization and the role the EU should play.

Europe is going through a hectic period of challenge and change. Economic and fiscal crises, threats to internal security, tectonic geo-political shifts along with Brexit and the questioning of Western values within the European Union are all exerting pressure on mainstream politics.

The refugee crisis, Brexit, growing populism – recently there has been a spate of events and trends that have completely transformed the political landscape in Europe. But in Germany, these changes predominantly seem to be fostering the need for stability. Our new "eupinions" study shows that the Germans are much more optimistic and satisfied than other Europeans.

Neither Emmanuel Macron nor Marine Le Pen represent one of the large, centrist political parties of France. But whoever will win – one of the greatest challenges may well be reconciling the French electorate. Our EU wide survey shows that politically speaking, the French are more polarized and more pessimistic than other Europeans.