A deeper and wider A deeper and wider UnionUnion

– – What do Germans What do Germans think of it?think of it?

Prepared for the Lecture “Saksa nyky- Prepared for the Lecture “Saksa nyky- Euroopassa” 12.11.2003Euroopassa” 12.11.2003

by Michael Kull, M.Soc.Sc.by Michael Kull, M.Soc.Sc.Centre for European Studies, Department Centre for European Studies, Department

of Political Science, Faculty of of Political Science, Faculty of Social SciencesSocial Sciences

University of HelsinkiUniversity of Helsinki

A deeper and wider Union – What do A deeper and wider Union – What do Germans think of it?Germans think of it?

The EU’s imageThe EU’s image National and European IdentityNational and European Identity Membership of the European UnionMembership of the European Union What means the EU for you?What means the EU for you? Primary tasks the EU should deal withPrimary tasks the EU should deal with Which level should be responsible?Which level should be responsible? Trust in the European institutions/bodiesTrust in the European institutions/bodies (Unknown) Convention(Unknown) Convention Large Majority approves the principle of a European ConstitutionLarge Majority approves the principle of a European Constitution Strong support for keeping one Commissioner per countryStrong support for keeping one Commissioner per country Direct election of the President of the European CommissionDirect election of the President of the European Commission Extending the Presidency of the CouncilExtending the Presidency of the Council The right of vetoThe right of veto EnlargementEnlargement Our representation in Brussels – The MEPOur representation in Brussels – The MEP ……and the EURO?and the EURO? HighlightsHighlights

The EU’s imageThe EU’s image

46% positive or very positive image 46% positive or very positive image of the EUof the EU

The way democracy works in the The way democracy works in the European Union European Union

Satisfaction with democracy in their Satisfaction with democracy in their own country own country

National and European IdentityNational and European Identity

German and EuropeanGerman and European or only or only European?European?

……and Finland?and Finland?

Membership of the European Membership of the European UnionUnion

What means the EU for you?What means the EU for you?

Primary tasks the EU should deal withPrimary tasks the EU should deal with

Which level should be responsible?Which level should be responsible?

Trust in the European institutions/bodiesTrust in the European institutions/bodies

Unknown ConventionUnknown Convention

Large Majority approves the Large Majority approves the principle of a European principle of a European

ConstitutionConstitution

The principle of a European The principle of a European Constitution is still backed by most Constitution is still backed by most citizenscitizens

Only 10% against such textOnly 10% against such text

Most people against such a document Most people against such a document are found in Finland (39%) and are found in Finland (39%) and Denmark (37%)Denmark (37%)

Strong support for keeping one Strong support for keeping one Commissioner per countryCommissioner per country

One important aspect discussed One important aspect discussed within the European Convention within the European Convention

Small states are clearly in favour of Small states are clearly in favour of keeping one Commissioner for each keeping one Commissioner for each Member StateMember State

One Commissioner per countryOne Commissioner per country

Direct election of the President Direct election of the President of the European Commissionof the European Commission

33% citizens of the EU in favour of direct election 33% citizens of the EU in favour of direct election 21% (EU 15) prefer a joint nomination by the 21% (EU 15) prefer a joint nomination by the

European Parliament and the heads of states or European Parliament and the heads of states or governments, governments,

18% (EU 15) choose sole election by the 18% (EU 15) choose sole election by the European Parliament, and European Parliament, and

12% (EU 15) for a sole nomination by the heads 12% (EU 15) for a sole nomination by the heads of state or heads of governmentof state or heads of government

In Germany: majority for election by the people In Germany: majority for election by the people (32%)(32%)

In Finland: majority for joint election by In Finland: majority for joint election by EP and EP and the Heads of States or Governments (35%)the Heads of States or Governments (35%)

Extending the presidency of the Extending the presidency of the CouncilCouncil

About 50%: About 50%: current length of the current length of the presidency of the European Council is not presidency of the European Council is not sufficient sufficient

Both Germans and Finns are in favour of Both Germans and Finns are in favour of extending the period of Presidency (52% extending the period of Presidency (52% D, 47% FIN) D, 47% FIN)

Both in A and GR the public opinion Both in A and GR the public opinion favours retaining of the 6 month period to favours retaining of the 6 month period to give each MS the chance to hold the give each MS the chance to hold the Presidency of the EU on a regular basisPresidency of the EU on a regular basis

The right of vetoThe right of veto

EnlargementEnlargement

In Germany: 42% are in favour of an In Germany: 42% are in favour of an enlarged EU, 39% are against it and enlarged EU, 39% are against it and 19% do not know19% do not know

In Finland: In Finland: 50% are pro-enlargement, 50% are pro-enlargement, 40% against it and 11% have no 40% against it and 11% have no opinionopinion

EU EU averageaverage: : 46% are for it, 35% are 46% are for it, 35% are againstagainst

Our representation in Brussels – Our representation in Brussels – The MEPThe MEP

68% of Germans are of the opinion that 68% of Germans are of the opinion that the next elections to the EP are importantthe next elections to the EP are important

EP well defends and represents the EP well defends and represents the interests of the voter? Only 36% of interests of the voter? Only 36% of Germans agreeGermans agree

Most important topics for the next election Most important topics for the next election are: Employment (D: 60%, EU: 53%), are: Employment (D: 60%, EU: 53%), Crime / organised crime (D: 52%, EU: Crime / organised crime (D: 52%, EU: 51%), Immigration (D: 46%, EU: 44%) and 51%), Immigration (D: 46%, EU: 44%) and the Environment/environmental protection the Environment/environmental protection (D: 42%, EU: 39%) (D: 42%, EU: 39%)

……and the EURO?and the EURO?

D: 70% are in favour, 22% againstD: 70% are in favour, 22% against FIN 75% in favour and 22% againstFIN 75% in favour and 22% against LUX: 88% pro and 10% against LUX: 88% pro and 10% against UK 63% against the € and only 24% UK 63% against the € and only 24%

for it. for it.

HighlightsHighlights Unemployment is the most important issue for Germans (66 Unemployment is the most important issue for Germans (66

percent) percent) In second place, by a wide margin, follows the general In second place, by a wide margin, follows the general

economic situation (37 percent).economic situation (37 percent). 59 percent of Germans consider their country’s EU-59 percent of Germans consider their country’s EU-

membership as a good thing (EU-average 54 percent)membership as a good thing (EU-average 54 percent) 45 percent of Germans and 50 percent of EU-citizens 45 percent of Germans and 50 percent of EU-citizens

continue to feel that their respective countries benefit from continue to feel that their respective countries benefit from EU-membership.EU-membership.

In Western Germany, the share of the population that is In Western Germany, the share of the population that is satisfied with the way democracy works in the European satisfied with the way democracy works in the European Union is higher than the EU-average. In Eastern Germany, Union is higher than the EU-average. In Eastern Germany, however, this share is the lowest in all of the EUhowever, this share is the lowest in all of the EU

More than 60 percent of Germans and EU citizens are still in More than 60 percent of Germans and EU citizens are still in favour of a constitution for the European Unionfavour of a constitution for the European Union

HighlightsHighlights Around 50% of Germans and other EU citizens remain in Around 50% of Germans and other EU citizens remain in

favour of maintaining the right of veto in order to preserve favour of maintaining the right of veto in order to preserve vital national interestsvital national interests

Approximately one-third of German and European citizens Approximately one-third of German and European citizens support the direct election of the President of the support the direct election of the President of the European Commission.European Commission.

Support for current enlargement increases, but further Support for current enlargement increases, but further inclusions are regarded with greater doubtinclusions are regarded with greater doubt

Citizens in Germany, as well as in other European Member Citizens in Germany, as well as in other European Member States, favour the inclusion of all countries wishing to join States, favour the inclusion of all countries wishing to join the EU. However, the share of Germans supporting this the EU. However, the share of Germans supporting this view is below the EU average. view is below the EU average.

Among those measures that should be made a priority by Among those measures that should be made a priority by the European Union, the fight against unemployment the European Union, the fight against unemployment continues to hold the number one spot in the eyes of continues to hold the number one spot in the eyes of German citizens. According to respondents, other German citizens. According to respondents, other measures to which the European Union should give priority measures to which the European Union should give priority are: maintaining peace and security in Europe, the fight are: maintaining peace and security in Europe, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the fight against against terrorism and organised crime, the fight against poverty and social exclusion, environmental protection and poverty and social exclusion, environmental protection and consumer protection.consumer protection.

HighlightsHighlights

According to those polled in Germany, decisions in the area According to those polled in Germany, decisions in the area of foreign policy vis-à-vis non-EU countries, defence policy, of foreign policy vis-à-vis non-EU countries, defence policy, the fight against terrorism, environmental protection and the fight against terrorism, environmental protection and the fight against poverty and social exclusion should be the fight against poverty and social exclusion should be decided on jointly within the European Union and not by the decided on jointly within the European Union and not by the national governments alone. national governments alone.

The EU institutions known by the largest share of the The EU institutions known by the largest share of the population in Germany are the European Parliament, the population in Germany are the European Parliament, the European Central Bank, and the Court of Auditors. In European Central Bank, and the Court of Auditors. In Europe as a whole, the institutions known by most citizens Europe as a whole, the institutions known by most citizens are the Parliament, the European Commission, and the are the Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Central Bank.European Central Bank.

Two-thirds of Germans agree that the elections for the Two-thirds of Germans agree that the elections for the European Parliament are ‘really important’.European Parliament are ‘really important’.