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Article by Francesca Moriero – Journalist, Fanpage.it

The report also reveals a growing desire for a stronger EU. The Eurobarometer , published by the European Parliament, has painted a picture of European citizens' concerns, revealing a clear shift in priorities compared to the past . Until a few years ago, the issue of immigration seemed to be one of the most pressing challenges for the European Union, but today, surprisingly, this topic seems to have lost focus. Economic difficulties, such as inflation, the high cost of living, and job creation , have now emerged as the main concerns for most Europeans. At the same time, there is a growing desire to see the European Union take a stronger role in defense and security , especially in an increasingly uncertain and fragmented geopolitical context. This shift in focus, which affects security, competitiveness, and economic priorities, could mark a crucial moment to reflect on the future challenges facing Europe .

Furthermore, among the values that European citizens would like to see defended by the European Parliament are peace (45%), democracy (32%) and the protection of human rights in the EU and worldwide (22%).

The changing priority: from immigration to economic security

In recent years, the issue of migration has dominated public debate in Europe , often at the center of political rhetoric. However, the recent Eurobarometer highlights a truly significant shift: according to the survey, only 13% of Italians consider this issue among their top concerns, relegating it to last place. Economic difficulties and rising costs are instead perceived as the most pressing problems , with 43% of Italians believing that the European Union should focus primarily on these issues. At the continental level, the picture is similar: inflation and rising prices are the top concerns for 43% of European citizens, followed by the fight against poverty and the EU's security.

Security and defense: a call for a stronger Europe

Security and defense are now key priorities for Europe's future: 74% of citizens believe their country benefits from EU membership; 62% would like the European Parliament to play a stronger role in protecting against global crises and security risks. This finding is particularly significant among young people, who appear to express a growing desire for a stronger common defense and greater cohesion among member states. It is clear, therefore, that evolving geopolitics, with conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, has helped push security to the forefront of European concerns. 76% of European citizens also believe the EU needs more resources to strengthen its capacity to respond to global challenges: the call for united action is strong, with 89% of respondents saying member states should work more closely together to address common threats.

"Two-thirds of Europeans want the EU to play a greater role in protecting them. This is a clear call for action, and we will respond. Europe must be stronger so that our citizens feel safer," said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. "The European Parliament will ensure that every proposal put forward is bold and ambitious enough to match the serious threat Europe faces. Europe must step up today, or risk being trampled on tomorrow."

Predictions for the future: a climate of uncertainty

Despite the growing demand for greater security and defense, the future does not look rosy for most Europeans . The question about the future standard of living has raised widespread concerns: 33% of respondents expect living conditions to worsen over the next five years. France and Germany, in particular, stand out for their citizens' pessimism, with over half of respondents expecting a more difficult future. In Italy, however, only 11% of citizens expect a worse future, with a large majority considering their standard of living unchanged. This uncertain outlook is also fueled by the perception of growing economic hardship and a sense of fatalism that seems to permeate public opinion. Although Italy does not emerge as the most pessimistic country, the climate of concern is widely shared across Europe.

The European Union: a force that must grow

In light of these changes, a central question emerges: how should the European Union evolve to face future challenges? The answer seems clear. A strong 66% of citizens believe the EU should indeed take on a stronger role, not only in defense and security, but also in managing economic crises and creating job opportunities . The growing demand for more resources for the EU, furthermore, indicates that Europeans are ready to support more ambitious policies, even in the face of a challenging economic reality.

“74% of Europeans say their country benefits from EU membership, the highest support recorded in 42 years. With peace and security first,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on X (formerly Twitter), commenting on the results of the latest Eurobarometer: “66% want a bigger role for Europe in protecting them from global crises and security risks. We hear you. And we are ready to do our part.”

https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1904453874708332991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1904453874708332991%7Ctwgr%5E9f960af584d5df18bd14711a0ec41ddff56d3dca%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanpage.it%2Fpolitica%2Fla-prima-preoccupazione-degli-italiani-non-sono-più-i-migranti-ma-il-cost-della-vita-il-sondaggio%2F

Furore (M5S): "Eurobarometer confirms, citizens want peace"

"European citizens want peace, not an endless war in Ukraine, as in the Middle East. Peace is the number one value to defend, chosen by 45% of those interviewed. Those like Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz, and Kaja Kallas, who have bet on war and a military victory on the ground in Ukraine, should listen more to the citizens and less to arms lobbyists like Guido Crosetto, who, not coincidentally, before becoming Minister of Defense was President of AIAD, the Confederation of Arms Manufacturers," wrote Five Star Movement MEP Mario Furore in a statement. He added: "Another significant finding from the survey is that European citizens are increasingly concerned about the economic situation: a full 33% of them fear a worsening of their standard of living. Peace and prosperity are our guiding principles, and we must defend these values, which are increasingly threatened by the European Commission and the Italian government."

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