A deeper and wider Union – What do Germans think of it? Prepared for the Lecture “Saksa nyky- Euroopassa” by Michael Kull, M.Soc.Sc. Centre for European Studies, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences University of Helsinki

A deeper and wider Union – What do Germans think of it? The EU’s image The EU’s image National and European Identity National and European Identity Membership of the European Union Membership of the European Union What means the EU for you? What means the EU for you? Primary tasks the EU should deal with Primary tasks the EU should deal with Which level should be responsible? Which level should be responsible? Trust in the European institutions/bodies Trust in the European institutions/bodies (Unknown) Convention (Unknown) Convention Large Majority approves the principle of a European Constitution Large Majority approves the principle of a European Constitution Strong support for keeping one Commissioner per country Strong support for keeping one Commissioner per country Direct election of the President of the European Commission Direct election of the President of the European Commission Extending the Presidency of the Council Extending the Presidency of the Council The right of veto The right of veto Enlargement Enlargement Our representation in Brussels – The MEP Our representation in Brussels – The MEP …and the EURO? …and the EURO? Highlights Highlights

The EU’s image 46% positive or very positive image of the EU 46% positive or very positive image of the EU The way democracy works in the European Union The way democracy works in the European Union Satisfaction with democracy in their own country Satisfaction with democracy in their own country

National and European Identity German and European or only European? …and Finland?

Membership of the European Union

What means the EU for you?

Primary tasks the EU should deal with

Which level should be responsible?

Trust in the European institutions/bodies

Unknown Convention

Large Majority approves the principle of a European Constitution The principle of a European Constitution is still backed by most citizens Only 10% against such text Most people against such a document are found in Finland (39%) and Denmark (37%)

Strong support for keeping one Commissioner per country One important aspect discussed within the European Convention One important aspect discussed within the European Convention Small states are clearly in favour of keeping one Commissioner for each Member State Small states are clearly in favour of keeping one Commissioner for each Member State

One Commissioner per country

Direct election of the President of 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 European Parliament and the heads of states or governments, 21% (EU 15) prefer a joint nomination by the European Parliament and the heads of states or governments, 18% (EU 15) choose sole election by the European Parliament, and 18% (EU 15) choose sole election by the European Parliament, and 12% (EU 15) for a sole nomination by the heads of state or heads of government 12% (EU 15) for a sole nomination by the heads of state or heads of government In Germany: majority for election by the people (32%) In Germany: majority for election by the people (32%) In Finland: majority for joint election by EP and the Heads of States or Governments (35%) In Finland: majority for joint election by EP and the Heads of States or Governments (35%)

Extending the presidency of the Council About 50%: current length of the presidency of the European Council is not sufficient About 50%: current length of the presidency of the European Council is not sufficient Both Germans and Finns are in favour of extending the period of Presidency (52% D, 47% FIN) Both Germans and Finns are in favour of extending the period of Presidency (52% D, 47% FIN) Both in A and GR the public opinion favours retaining of the 6 month period to give each MS the chance to hold the Presidency of the EU on a regular basis Both in A and GR the public opinion favours retaining of the 6 month period to give each MS the chance to hold the Presidency of the EU on a regular basis

The right of veto

Enlargement In Germany: 42% are in favour of an enlarged EU, 39% are against it and 19% do not know In Germany: 42% are in favour of an enlarged EU, 39% are against it and 19% do not know In Finland: 50% are pro- enlargement, 40% against it and 11% have no opinion In Finland: 50% are pro- enlargement, 40% against it and 11% have no opinion EU average: 46% are for it, 35% are against EU average: 46% are for it, 35% are against

Our representation in Brussels – The MEP 68% of Germans are of the opinion that the next elections to the EP are important 68% of Germans are of the opinion that the next elections to the EP are important EP well defends and represents the interests of the voter? Only 36% of Germans agree EP well defends and represents the interests of the voter? Only 36% of Germans agree Most important topics for the next election are: Employment (D: 60%, EU: 53%), Crime / organised crime (D: 52%, EU: 51%), Immigration (D: 46%, EU: 44%) and the Environment/environmental protection (D: 42%, EU: 39%) Most important topics for the next election are: Employment (D: 60%, EU: 53%), Crime / organised crime (D: 52%, EU: 51%), Immigration (D: 46%, EU: 44%) and the Environment/environmental protection (D: 42%, EU: 39%)

…and the EURO? D: 70% are in favour, 22% against D: 70% are in favour, 22% against FIN 75% in favour and 22% against FIN 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% for it. UK 63% against the € and only 24% for it.

Highlights Unemployment is the most important issue for Germans (66 percent) Unemployment is the most important issue for Germans (66 percent) In second place, by a wide margin, follows the general economic situation (37 percent). In second place, by a wide margin, follows the general economic situation (37 percent). 59 percent of Germans consider their country’s EU- membership as a good thing (EU-average 54 percent) 59 percent of Germans consider their country’s EU- membership as a good thing (EU-average 54 percent) 45 percent of Germans and 50 percent of EU-citizens continue to feel that their respective countries benefit from EU-membership. 45 percent of Germans and 50 percent of EU-citizens continue to feel that their respective countries benefit from EU-membership. In Western Germany, the share of the population that is satisfied with the way democracy works in the European Union is higher than the EU-average. In Eastern Germany, however, this share is the lowest in all of the EU In Western Germany, the share of the population that is satisfied with the way democracy works in the European Union is higher than the EU-average. In Eastern Germany, however, this share is the lowest in all of the EU More than 60 percent of Germans and EU citizens are still in favour of a constitution for the European Union More than 60 percent of Germans and EU citizens are still in favour of a constitution for the European Union

Highlights Around 50% of Germans and other EU citizens remain in favour of maintaining the right of veto in order to preserve vital national interests Around 50% of Germans and other EU citizens remain in favour of maintaining the right of veto in order to preserve vital national interests Approximately one-third of German and European citizens support the direct election of the President of the European Commission. Approximately one-third of German and European citizens support the direct election of the President of the European Commission. Support for current enlargement increases, but further inclusions are regarded with greater doubt Support for current enlargement increases, but further inclusions are regarded with greater doubt Citizens in Germany, as well as in other European Member States, favour the inclusion of all countries wishing to join the EU. However, the share of Germans supporting this view is below the EU average. Citizens in Germany, as well as in other European Member States, favour the inclusion of all countries wishing to join the EU. However, the share of Germans supporting this view is below the EU average. Among those measures that should be made a priority by the European Union, the fight against unemployment continues to hold the number one spot in the eyes of German citizens. According to respondents, other measures to which the European Union should give priority are: maintaining peace and security in Europe, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the fight against poverty and social exclusion, environmental protection and consumer protection. Among those measures that should be made a priority by the European Union, the fight against unemployment continues to hold the number one spot in the eyes of German citizens. According to respondents, other measures to which the European Union should give priority are: maintaining peace and security in Europe, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, the fight against poverty and social exclusion, environmental protection and consumer protection.

Highlights According to those polled in Germany, decisions in the area of foreign policy vis-à-vis non-EU countries, defence policy, the fight against terrorism, environmental protection and the fight against poverty and social exclusion should be decided on jointly within the European Union and not by the national governments alone. According to those polled in Germany, decisions in the area of foreign policy vis-à-vis non-EU countries, defence policy, the fight against terrorism, environmental protection and the fight against poverty and social exclusion should be decided on jointly within the European Union and not by the national governments alone. The EU institutions known by the largest share of the population in Germany are the European Parliament, the European Central Bank, and the Court of Auditors. In Europe as a whole, the institutions known by most citizens are the Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Central Bank. The EU institutions known by the largest share of the population in Germany are the European Parliament, the European Central Bank, and the Court of Auditors. In Europe as a whole, the institutions known by most citizens are the Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Central Bank. Two-thirds of Germans agree that the elections for the European Parliament are ‘really important’. Two-thirds of Germans agree that the elections for the European Parliament are ‘really important’.