EU Survey Highlights Defense and Security as Crucial Priorities for Upcoming Elections

 

A study released on Wednesday indicates that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become a central concern for European Union citizens as they prepare for the June elections, with defense and security emerging as pivotal campaign issues.

 

Contrary to sentiments five years ago during the previous EU Parliament elections, discussions surrounding the EU's defense and security now take precedence in nine member countries at the national level.

 

The latest edition of the EU Parliament's Eurobarometer underscores the shift, noting that before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, defense and security were not prominent topics in 2019.

 

Based on opinion surveys conducted across the 27 EU nations, the report reveals that defense and security, alongside the economy and employment, rank third in importance (31%), trailing behind concerns over poverty and social exclusion (33%) and public health (32%). Climate change and the future of Europe closely follow.

 

Furthermore, EU citizens prioritize defense and security as crucial for bolstering the EU's global standing, placing it ahead of concerns regarding food security and agriculture.

 

Looking ahead to the next legislative term, maintaining peace and democracy takes precedence as the core values to defend in the coming years, surpassing the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.

 

Notably, peace emerges as the paramount objective in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. In the Baltic states, apprehensions about Russia's aggression towards Ukraine have fueled concerns that they could be targeted next. Meanwhile, Finland's relations with Russia have notably soured due to its NATO membership and the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, along with associated sanctions.

 

The report also underscores a surge of interest in the upcoming June 6-9 elections, with 60% of Europeans expressing interest—a notable 11-point increase since 2019. Additionally, 71% indicate their likelihood of casting a ballot, with many emphasizing the heightened importance of voting given the current global situation.

 

Conducted between February 7 and March 3 across all 27 EU countries, the survey comprised a total of 26,411 interviews.