Rising prices and the cost of living (42%) and the economic situation (41%) were the main topics that motivated European citizens to vote in the last European elections in June this year, according to the findings of a Eurobarometer poll released by the European Parliament on Thursday. For Greeks in particular, these parameters were even more important, with 70% citing the cost of living and 69% the economic situation as a motivation to vote in the EU elections.
A third of EU voters (34%) said that the international situation is a topic that encouraged them to vote, while a similar proportion mentioned defending democracy and the rule of law (32%).
In Greece, the third most important parameter cited by voters was social protection, welfare and access to healthcare (40%), while the international situation (37%) ranked fourth.
Those who did not vote also said that the cost of living (46%) and the economic situation (36%) could have motivated them to participate in the elections. Among the Greeks that did not vote, the cost of living (65%), the economic situation (58%) and social protection, welfare and access to healthcare (40%) were cited as topics could have motivated them to participate in the elections.
The survey found that citizens in the EU and in Greece are optimistic about the future of the EU (65%) and continue to hold a positive impression of the EU and the European Parliament. On average, the majority of EU citizens have a positive or neutral impression of the EU, with 48% having a total positive view versus 18% with a total negative view.
EU membership is viewed favourably, as seven in ten (70%) Europeans think that their country has benefited from being a member of the EU, a figure that has been stable in recent years. Overall, citizens have four main rationales for why they consider EU membership beneficial: increased co-operation between Member States (36%), protecting peace and strengthening security (32%), the EU’s contribution to economic growth (28%), and the creation of new work opportunities (24%).
In Greece, the top reasons cited why EU membership is important included: that the EU contributes to protecting peace and strengthening security (45%), that membership of the EU improves co-operation between Greece and the other countries of the EU (36%), The EU Greek people a stronger say in the world (31%).
Trust in European parliamentary democracy is particularly high at the beginning of the tenth EP parliamentary term: 42% of the citizens hold a positive image of the European Parliament - the highest ever result recorded. The equivalent percentage in Greece is unchanged at 34%.
European citizens confirmed their support for EU democracy in the last European elections, with a turnout of 50.74%, which was the highest in the last 30 years and similar to that in 2019. A 56% of participants in the survey agree that their voice "counts" in the EU, compared with just 26% of Greek citizens.
The study also suggests that voting in European elections has become a democratic habit for many citizens. Asked why they voted, 46% of voters say they always do, while 42% say it is their duty as citizens, and 20% say they want to support the political party they feel close to.
In Greece, 50% of Greek voters replied that they always do, 46% said it was their duty as citizens, and 29% said they wanted to support the political party they feel close to.
The decision on whom to vote for in the European elections 2024 was based mainly on how close the proposals of the parties were to the ideas and values held by voters. A party's proposals on European issues was the reason given by 47% of EU participants, while 52% of Greeks said they voted for the party they usually vote for.
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