Eurobarometer: EU must present a united front
Brussels – To address the current geopolitical crises and challenges, 90 percent of Europeans (83 percent of Austrians) are calling on the European Union to present a more united front. 77 percent of respondents across the EU in the new Eurobarometer survey published on Wednesday (65 in Austria) also say that the EU needs more money for this. In Austria, however, only a third is convinced of new EU revenue sources.
Another third is “somewhat in favor.” Across Europe, just over half are “fully in favor” of the EU receiving more new revenue sources (own resources), such as based on greenhouse gas emissions or corporate profits. The discussion about this is gaining momentum again, as the EU Commission plans new own resources in the form of taxes in its proposal for financing the next multiannual EU budget of 2 trillion euros. Austria is traditionally skeptical in this regard.
Link EU funding more closely to the rule of law
Only a quarter of European – and a fifth of Austrian – survey participants are “definitely” in favor of more projects being funded collectively by the EU as a whole, rather than by individual member states. About half think “probably.” The budget proposal also stipulates that the allocation of EU funds is more closely tied to the principle of the rule of law. Around 45 percent in the EU and in Austria agree with this.
68 percent of Europeans, but only just over half of Austrians want the EU to play a stronger role in protecting European citizens from global crises and security threats in the future. At the top of the areas the EU should focus on is defense and security (for 37 percent of respondents), followed by competitiveness, economy, and industry (32). Next is secure energy supply (27). In Austria, the top two positions are reversed, with 32 percent for more competitiveness and 30 percent for defense.
Austrians remain EU-skeptical
73 percent of respondents across the EU, but only 60 percent of those at home are convinced that their home country benefits from EU membership. In Austria, this is five percentage points lower than in the last survey six months ago. About half of those living in the EU, but only 38 percent of respondents from the Alpine Republic have a positive image of the EU. The same number think that the EU is developing “in the right direction” – this is five percentage points more than in the last survey.
The most important issues that the EU Parliament should address continue to be inflation and rising prices in first place (41 and 42 percent in the EU and Austria, respectively). Following that, for 34 percent of respondents across the EU, security and defense are next, while in Austria, migration and asylum take precedence. Promoting the economy and combating poverty are further priorities for the people.
The survey was conducted by the polling institute Verian between May 5 and 29, 2025, in all 27 EU member states. It was carried out in the form of personal interviews as well as video interviews. A total of 26,410 interviews were conducted, and the EU results were weighted according to the population size of each country. In Austria, 1,003 people were surveyed. (03.09.2025)
