A new Eurobarometer survey reveals that a majority of European Union citizens are calling for stronger, more unified, and ambitious leadership from the 27-nation bloc as it confronts military threats, economic pressures, and climate instability. The poll, conducted in November with over 2,600 respondents, found overwhelming support for a more muscular EU on the global stage.
According to the survey, 69% of citizens want the EU to play an expanded security role in global crises, while 87% favour a more diplomatically aggressive approach on issues like peace and climate change. A striking 90% called for the bloc to be more unified in tackling key challenges. The margin of error was 2 percentage points.
The results align closely with the goals of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has advocated for stronger EU power in trade and defence. The poll indicates that citizens are highly worried about conflicts near the bloc, climate-related natural disasters, and cyberwarfare. Defence emerged as the top priority in 18 of the 27 EU nations.
Respondents expressed optimism about the EU as a whole but were more pessimistic about the state of world affairs and their own countries. The survey noted that attempts by Russia, the US, and far-right groups to divide the EU have largely failed so far.
