Romanians and the Latest Eurobarometer
Romanians are optimistic about the future of the European Union
Ştefan Stoica, 06.03.2017, 13:26
The terrorist attacks that did not strike their own countries, but hit Western EU members like France and Belgium, the migration issue or Britains imminent exit from the Union were unable to weaken Romanians confidence in the European Union. The confidence rate remains above the 36% European average, at 52%, although it has declined significantly since accession in 2007, when it stood at 65%.
Romanians continue to foster more optimistic views on the future of Europe, even if in this respect as well the latest Eurobarometer reports a slight decline. At the end of 2016, 55% of the Romanians were in favour of the European single currency as a symbol of the European Economic and Monetary Union, while 62% of the Romanians appreciate the single digital market and its economic importance.
On the other hand, although 58% of the citizens of Romania are satisfied with how democracy works in the EU, which is a higher rate than in the other member states, only one-third of them are happy with the quality of democracy in their own country. The Eurobarometer also reveals that support for EU priorities remains high in Romania, standing at 55% with respect to the Economic and Monetary Union and 77% with respect to the free movement of people, that is, the right to live, work or study in any member state. Two out of three Romanians believe the voice of the EU matters in the world and are in favour of a common foreign policy.
The values that best represent the EU, Romanians answered, are human rights, democracy and peace. They also believe geography is the best element of the sense of unity among European citizens, followed by the respect for the rule of law and the solidarity with poorer regions.
According to the Eurobarometer, for better or worse Romanians are still among the supporters of the European project, with all its ever more frequent crises and the serious challenges that Europe has to respond to. For the time being, Romania is far from the grip of populist trends, of Euro scepticism or Europhobia. But things may change, should the country find itself the victim of questionable scenarios such as a multi-speed Europe, severely criticised in Bucharest. Brexit and the centrifugal tendencies displayed by older and bigger member states call for an urgent debate on the future of the European Union. However, possible rushed decisions leading to the marginalisation of some member countries risk deepening the distrust of all citizens, Romanians included, in the fate of the European Union.
