Two out of three Greeks are for the European Union (video)

The majority of Greeks, according to numerous surveys, have a positive attitude towards the European Union and are in favor of maintaining membership in it.

This was confirmed by the latest survey by the local analytical center DIANEOSIS. Although some respondents believe that Greece's membership in EU benefited the bloc more than their country. DIANEOSIS Research Director Faye Makantasi says:

“According to most data, the vast majority of Greeks (with some fluctuations during the bailout period) have a positive opinion of the EU.”

Over the past ten years, the results of all surveys have confirmed that the majority of Greeks are in favor of the EU. But between 2015 and 2016, the gap between supporters and opponents of the bloc widened. Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of the Peloponnese Manos Papazoglou explains:

“There is great recognition of the European Union and especially the benefits we are receiving. This is a consolation after the great period of crisis we have been through. In Greece there is not the same Euroscepticism as in other countries. It is much lower and mainly focused on improving policy outcomes within the EU “.

The main problem in Greece is the lack of trust in political institutions and political leaders. It seems, writes Euronews, most Greeks trust EU institutions more than national ones. Fay Makantasi says:

“Most Greeks also seem more dissatisfied with their democratic system than people in other EU countries. For example, four in ten Greeks aged 25 to 39 believe that our country does not have a strong democracy.”

And some numbers:

• approximately 36% of Greeks are confident that in 10 years the EU will exist in its current form;
• 37% of Greeks believe that some countries will leave the bloc;
• more than 10% of respondents believe that the European Union will cease to exist.

Manos Papazoglou explains:

“We have survived 15 years of crisis in a row. The Eurozone, migration, Brexit, pandemic, recession and all that. The European Union has survived all of it. This message has mainly been conveyed to citizens who are convinced that the European Union exists and will remain with its difficulties and limitations. So , the main question is: bearing in mind that we have this Europe, how are we going to change it?

Source link