TRUST IN EU INSTITUTIONS

Confidence in the European Union and its institutions is at its lowest ebb and many Europeans criticise the way in which democracy works in the Union. For several years now, the distance between Community Institutions and European citizens would appear to have widened.

The low levels of confidence of Europeans in the Union and its institutions pose the question of their democratic legitimacy. For many Europeans, the European Union is disconnected from its population: they believe that their voice does not count in the Union, they see it as distant and not very transparent. The Union needs to recreate links with its citizens and regain a democratic legitimacy to ensure that its decisions are better understood, accepted and supported by the population. Explanatory work is therefore needed and information and communication have an important role to play in this respect. It would appear to be necessary, however, to change the way in which information and communication takes place. Messages must be simplified and clarified to ensure that they are understood by as many people as possible and to avoid giving the impression that the Union is for the elite only. More use must also be made of media that enables citizens to interact with their institutions. Provide information, yes, but also show that Europeans are being heard. The European Union must also demonstrate that it keeps its promises and commitments, and that its decisions apply in the same way to all, and in all cases. The new Commission presided by Jean-Claude Juncker  appears to be aware of these challenges. The change of team is a real opportunity for changing things, putting the citizen still more firmly at the heart of the Union. The opportunity must be seized in order to reduce European democratic breakdown lastingly.

Trust in the EU Institutions, Directorate-General for Communication, Public Opinion Monitoring Unit, European Parliament, Post 2014 Elections 

1. Luxembourg 70%
2. Malta 69%
3. Romania 61%
4. Estonia 61%
5. Ireland 58%
6. Denmark 58%
7. Netherlands 58%
8. Slovenia 58 %
9. Croatia 58%
10. Lithuania 57%
11. Hungary 56%
12. Belgium 56%
13. Finland 56%
14. Bulgaria 52%
15. Sweden 53%
16. Germany 50%
17. Poland 50%
18. Cyprus 48%
19. Austria 43%
20. Latvia 41%
21. Slovakia 41%
22. Greece 39%
23. Spain 38%
24. France 36%
25. Italy 35%
26. Portugal 34%
27. U.K. 32%
28. Czech Republic 26%