90% of Maltese Believe EU Membership is Beneficial

October 03 2024 14:07:38 by PCLMedia

A recent Eurobarometer survey reveals that a remarkable 90% of Maltese respondents believe that Malta's membership in the European Union has been advantageous. This statistic underscores the strong support for EU integration among the Maltese population, particularly as the nation celebrated its 20th anniversary of EU membership on May 1st of this year.

The European Parliament has released the "EU Post-Electoral Survey 2024," which examines voting behavior and priorities among EU citizens following the recent European elections in June. The survey highlights key issues that motivated voters across Europe, with rising prices and the cost of living (42%) topping the list. Additionally, the economic situation (41%) and the international landscape (34%) were also significant factors influencing voter turnout, alongside concerns for democracy and the rule of law (32%). Notably, among those who did not vote, 46% cited the cost of living as a motivating factor.

In Malta, environmental issues and climate change emerged as the primary motivators for voters, with 40% indicating these concerns influenced their decisions at the polls. Conversely, rising prices and the cost of living (52%) were the dominant factors that might have encouraged non-voters to participate in the election.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola commented on the survey's results, stating, "Last June, people across Europe made their voice count as we saw the highest turnout in the European Parliament elections in 30 years. They gave us a mandate to act, to provide answers and solutions and to make a positive difference in their daily lives. We will deliver. Over the coming weeks, the European Parliament is scrutinizing the new European Commission to ensure it will address the issues that are a priority for people: the cost of living, the state of our economy, democracy, rule of law, migration, and security. The European Parliament will continue to work to make people's voices count in the EU."

Strong Support for the EU and Trust in Parliamentary Democracy

Despite economic challenges, support for the EU remains robust among its citizens. The survey indicates that 65% of respondents express optimism about the future of the EU, with 48% holding a positive impression of the institution. Only 16% of those surveyed reported a negative view of the EU.

In a broader context, seven out of ten Europeans (70%) believe their countries have benefited from EU membership, a figure that has remained stable in recent years. The reasons for this positive sentiment include increased cooperation between Member States (36%), enhanced peace and security (32%), the EU's role in fostering economic growth (28%), and the creation of new job opportunities (24%).

In Malta, optimism about the EU is even higher, with 74% of respondents expressing a positive outlook. Furthermore, 51% of Maltese citizens view the EU positively, while only 9% have a negative opinion. The perceived benefits of EU membership in Malta include contributions to economic growth (48%), new work opportunities for Maltese citizens (38%), improved cooperation with other EU nations (30%), and a stronger global voice for Malta (30%).

Trust in the European parliamentary democracy is also notably high, especially as the European Parliament embarks on its tenth parliamentary term. The survey found that 42% of citizens have a positive image of the European Parliament, the highest recorded figure for this indicator. In Malta specifically, this number stands at 54%, marking an increase of 6 percentage points since earlier this year.

The European elections in June confirmed citizens' commitment to EU democracy, with a voter turnout of 50.74%, the highest in 30 years. Turnout increased in 16 out of 27 EU countries compared to the 2019 elections. Notably, 56% of citizens believe their voices matter in the EU, reflecting an 8-point rise from earlier this year. In Malta, this sentiment is even stronger, with 64% of respondents agreeing that their voices count.

The analysis of the post-electoral survey suggests that voting in European elections is becoming a habitual practice for many. When asked about their motivations for voting, 46% of voters indicated they always participate, while 42% cited civic duty and 20% expressed a desire to support their preferred political parties. In Malta, citizens predominantly voted because they felt it was their duty (55%), regularly cast their ballots (37%), or identified as EU citizens (27%). Their voting choices were largely driven by personal affinity for candidates (45%) and alignment with party proposals on both European (41%) and national issues (41%).

In summary, the survey results illustrate a strong sense of EU affiliation among Maltese citizens, highlighting their belief in the tangible benefits of EU membership and their commitment to participating in democratic processes.