2017 - Parlemeter - A Stronger Voice - Citizens' Views on Parliament and the EU

European citizens are looking more and more favourably on the European Union. They increasingly feel that their voice counts in the EU and that their countries have benefitted from being a member in the European Union. The 2017 Parlemeter of the European Parliament takes a close look at citizens’ opinions on the EU membership as well as on their attitudes towards the European Parliament, its priorities, actions and mission.

In the framework of the renewed debate on the future of Europe, 47% of European citizens feel that their voice counts in the EU, the best result since the European elections 2009.

A clear majority of Europeans keeps supporting their country’s membership in the EU. 57% of respondents feel that the EU membership is a good thing for their country, almost as many as before the crisis. Most respondents in all Member States say that EU membership has benefitted their country. Finally, an increasing number of citizens find that things are going in the right direction in the EU (31%, +6 compared to March 2017).

The European Parliament also sees an uptick in public opinion. An increase of eight percentage points now sees 33% of all citizens having a positive image of the European Parliament, while 42% of respondents still have a neutral image.