Popular support for EU mounts, particularly among the youth

A NEW poll on Europeans’ attitudes toward the EU has found that popular attitudes toward the institution have improved in many countries, including Britain.

In Poland, nearly three-quarters of the population say that they have a favourable opinion of the EU. It’s about as high in Germany and Spain. About half of all Britons say they support the EU, up from 40% a year ago.

The new poll by the Pew Research Centre also found that the European project is most popular among Europe’s youngest residents. A whopping 73% of those surveyed between the ages of 18 and 29 support the organisation. Just 58% of Europeans 50 and older feel the same way.

People on the left are more likely to like the EU than those who call themselves conservative. Most of those surveyed say Brexit will be bad for the UK. And most Britons say their leaving will be bad for the “European project”. They’re more divided on what that means for the UK.

Unsurprisingly, Greeks, who have suffered under austerity measures, have the worst opinion of the governing body. Just a third of the country views the EU favourably.

Support for the EU coincides with renewed economic confidence across the continent.

The euro zone economy grew significantly last year, a trend that’s continued. Unemployment has dropped to the single digits and job creation accelerated to a nine-year record at the beginning of this year.

However, more than half of all Europeans also want their countries to be able to make their own trade deals with other countries. And nearly three-quarters want their countries to control future migration from outside the EU. – Washington Post