This set of questions aims to investigate respondents’ support of a series of possible initiatives and measures to strengthen the EU social dimension. Overall, large majority of respondents (89%) agree with the provision of financial help to states facing a severe financial crisis in order to make sure that no citizen remains without basic means of subsistence (such as food, shelter or medicines). The portion of citizens who agrees (either strongly or somewhat) with this type of measure is equal to or higher than 85% in each of the six countries surveyed.
High levels of agreement were also detected regarding the potential introduction of an EU-funded benefit scheme for people in severe poverty all over the Union. Overall, more than three out of four respondents are in favour of this kind of policy. Agreement is particularly high in Italy (86%) and Spain (90%). In the latter, over 55% of respondents are strongly in favour of an anti-poverty initiative.
A core-periphery emerges also looking at the respondents’ opinion on the EU’s provision of financial help to member states facing a sudden rise in unemployment rates. 91% of Italian and Spanish respondents agree (either strongly or somewhat) with this initiative. Poland presents a similar trend, with 82% of respondents agreeing. On the other hand, the average percentage of French, German and Swedish citizens who agree that the EU should equip itself with a budget large enough to finance an unemployment scheme is “only” 67%.
Photo Credits CC European Parliament
This infographic is part of a series examining the results of an original seven-country mass survey conducted by REScEU. Click here to view all the contributions in the series.
Also published on Medium.
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