Feelings on the evolution of European sentiment among European civil servants

29/06/2011

Unpublished poll on the feeling on the evolution of the European sentiment by European civil servants

 

A survey done for the “Call to Europe” conference organized in Brussels by FEPS on 29 and 30 June shows that almost one in two European civil servants think that European integration is evolving negatively and nearly 90% of them are of the opinion that the political authorities must take their responsibility.  These officials seem to have limited confidence in their own ranks, however, since in their opinion, it is up to the Member States to stimulate allegiance to Europe, ahead of their own institutions that they assign to the second position.

European civil servants seem to consider that European power is in the hands of the Member States — this prevalence reveals an element of weakness of European institutions that are supposed to assume this role” declared Massimo d’Alema, former Italian prime minister and president of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) that ordered the survey. 

The Member State governments (84%), ahead of the European institutions (73%) have the role of fanning the European flame — this is essentially the conclusion of the survey done in June with 231 civil servants by the Belgian survey company Dedicated.be. Conversely, European civil servants are very comprehensive with regard to citizens (33%) – this shows systematically in the survey.

This decline in European sentiment and consequently the lack of leadership in this field, could entail several risks according to European civil servants: reinforcement of nationalism (82%), slowing down of the European integration process (78%), losing (further) ground on the global scene (60%), continuation of the recession (56%), and even further difficulties in implementing the possibilities provided by the Lisbon Treaty (50%).

This uneasiness is confirmed when only one in five civil servants feel that the EU 2020 strategy has a greater chance of success than the Lisbon Strategy. Hardly more (30%) consider that “giving priority to austerity plans will cure the European ills in the medium and long term“. But no one seems naïve: 62% of the civil servants surveyed consider that the Commission pursues a liberal policy.

 

Brussels is not as isolated as one might think

 

Contrary to preconceived ideas, European civil servants are not disconnected from reality. Evidence of this: employment, which comes in the first position, followed in third and fourth position by economics and social issues, are among the various policies proposed to rekindle European drive. They also consider that the decline in attachment to Europe is explained by the development of nationalism (51%), the absence of European projects clearly understood by citizens (47%), loss of confidence in politics (46%), economic recession (44%), and enlargement of the EU (42%), to list the five most frequent responses

Finally foreign policy comes in second position among priority actions, although the civil servants feel doubtful about the new External Action Service (32%). However, there is no doubt about the effectiveness of the action if it is initiated. The civil servants feel that the EU would be stronger if it adopted common positions on international conflicts such as the recent events in North Africa (82%), where, we recall, Europe not only came out divided, it then sent a negative message by refusing to accept migrants fleeing Tunisia.

———————

This survey was done in June with 231 civil servants by the Belgian survey institute Dedicated.be. It was ordered by FEPS in the context of the Call to Europe conference that will bring together more than 50 experts on 29 and 30 June in Brussels on a central question: “If we do not have a united Europe nowadays, would there be any reason to bother creating it?

For more information on the conference Call to Europe

https://www.feps-europe.eu/calltoeurope/

Beyond the survey for any question, contact Alain Bloëdt, FEPS Communication Advisor

Find all related publications
Publications
24/01/2024

Progressive Yearbook 2024

Looking back to look ahead
12/12/2023

Bosnia-Herzegovina. How to build a viable road to EU membership

Balkan Focus policy brief series
29/11/2023

Social Europe: From vision to vigour

FEPS Primer series - Björn Hacker
13/11/2023

EU Treaties – Why they need targeted changes

An approach based on European public goods, citizenship and democracy
Find all related events
Events
Upcoming
21 - 23/03/2024
Pristina, Kosovo (Expert meeting - Hybrid)

Friends of the Western Balkans – Pristina

The interplay between European elections, democracy and enlargement
Past
12/02/2024
Austrian Permanent Representation, Brussels

The European Pillar of Social Rights

Turning principles into practice
20/01/2024
London, UK (Hybrid)

FEPS-Fabian new year conference 2024

Plans for power
Find all related news
News
18/03/2024

FEPS President in Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

NATO extension, Portuguese elections, far-right and gender equality were the topics of the debate
24/01/2024

Spanish Minister Teresa Ribera awarded FEPS ‘Progressive Person of the Year’

18/01/2024

FEPS President at Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

13/12/2023

Friends of the Western Balkans’ statement

Find all related in the media
In the media

FEPS President on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

by Euronews 16/03/2024
FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues discusses NATO expansions and elections in Russia and Portugal on Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?‘

Teresa Ribera, premiada por su labor en política internacional

by El Plural 26/01/2024
Teresa Ribera has been recognized by FEPS with the 'Progressive Person of the Year' award during the launch of the 'Progressive Yearbook.' Article by El Plural

Teresa Ribera, premio ‘Pregressive person of the year’ por su labor en política internacional

by Europa Press 26/01/2024
Teresa Ribera has been recognized by FEPS with the 'Progressive Person of the Year' award during the launch of the 'Progressive Yearbook.' Article by Europa Press

Teresa Ribera, galardonada como “progresista” del año por la Fundación FEPS

by Agencia EFE 26/01/2024
Article by Spanish news agency Agencia EFE, republished by other media via newswire