Results of EU approval rating survey to be released showing a moderate rise in support
The results of the twice-yearly Eurobarometer survey will be released today.
The poll gauged citizens’ feelings about the EU and asked about political parties ahead of next May’s elections to the European Parliament. The survey should then give an indication as to how strong populist parties are ahead of the elections, and whether recent gains in Italy and Hungary will be reflected in the Europe-wide voting.
However, not all augurs well for the populists, with the survey likely to show an uptick in approval for the bloc. Pro-European centrists are set to make gains with the entry of Emmanuel Macron’s En Marche, though he is still mulling whether to join the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) or form his own coalition. The election will also be the first after Brexit, seeing the end of the UK’s strong populist contingent.
With moderate blocs likely to hold the majority of seats, especially with the prospect of ALDE gains, expect the Parliament’s leadership to remain pro-Europe. However, strong populist gains could damper Strasbourg’s support for stronger European integration.
