Europeans would like to see values-based foreign policy and ditch veto

A recent survey of 2,752 EU citizens across ten member states reveals that Europeans are calling for an EU foreign policy based on values such as security, human rights, and freedom. They believe that the current veto-system in the EU Council hinders a more unified foreign policy.

The survey, commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF)'s European Dialogue Office, highlights a shift in public opinion since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, with Europeans seeking a clearer understanding of the EU's role and its significance for European citizens. Security is identified as the top priority, followed closely by the defense of human rights and democracy. Economic growth and trade, which were previously emphasized, now rank lower.

A majority in all ten countries surveyed believe that the veto-system, allowing a single member state to block foreign policy decisions, hampers effective decision-making. This shift in public opinion reflects a growing recognition of a nascent European identity alongside national and regional identities, suggesting the possibility of a European polity that transcends national boundaries.

The survey was conducted by Meute in Maastricht from April 14th-17th, 2023, as part of the FNF-Brussels' "Europe 2050" project.