43% of Greeks, compared to 64% of citizens in the EU supports her financing the purchase and supply of military equipment in Ukraineaccording to the Eurobarometer survey published today and conducted in June 2023.

In general, EU citizens express strong support for EU actions taken in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. the 88% of respondents in the EU and in Greece, advocates providing humanitarian support to people affected by war. 86% in the EU and 88% in Greece are in favor of welcoming people fleeing war into the EU. 75% (vs. 66% in Greece) approve of financial support to Ukraine and 72% (vs. 58% in Greece) support financial sanctions on the Russian government and Russian companies and individuals.

In addition, 64% of respondents in the EU, compared to 43% in Greece, support the financing of the purchase and supply of military equipment in Ukraine. 64% in the EU and 56% in Greece agree with granting status to Ukraine as a candidate EU member state.

Overall, 56% of citizens in the EU and 42% in Greece say they are satisfied with the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while 54% in the EU and 39% in Greece say they are satisfied with their national government’s response.

In addition, EU citizens overwhelmingly support the EU’s energy transition policy and investment in renewable energy sources. 85% of Europeans believe that the EU should invest massively in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. 82% in the EU, compared to 87% in Greece, believe that increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, transport and goods will make us less dependent on non-EU energy producers. Furthermore, 80% in the EU, compared to 87% in Greece, believes that EU member states should jointly buy energy from other countries to get a better price. 81% of respondents in the EU and 83% in Greece agree that reducing oil and gas imports and investing in renewable energy sources are important for our overall security, while 82% in the EU and 76% in Greece, says the EU must reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources as soon as possible.

At the same time, the majority of EU citizens are in favor of a stronger European defense. 77% of European and Greek citizens are in favor of a common defense and security policy. 80% of EU respondents believe that defense cooperation at EU level should be increased, 77% believe that the purchase of military equipment by member states should be better coordinated, 69% would like the EU to strengthen its ability to produce military equipment and 66% say more money should be spent on defense in the EU.

Moreover, European citizens would like a stronger Europe in the world. 77% in the EU, vs 82% in Greece agree that the EU should build partnerships with non-EU countries to invest in sustainable infrastructure and connect people and countries around the world. 69% in the EU, compared to 79% in Greece, believe that the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend Europe’s economic interests in the global economy.

On the state of the European economy, 45% of EU respondents think it is “good” (+5% from January-February), slightly outstripping the number who think it is “bad” (44%).

40% of citizens in the EU describe the economic situation in their country as “good” (+5%) and 58% as “bad” (-8 percentage points).

In Greece, 18% of respondents describe the country’s economic situation as “good” and 81% as “bad”.

In eurozone countries, support for the single currency remains, on average, very high at 78%, compared to 76% in Greece, while it is slightly lower in the EU (71%).

55% of Europeans believe that the EU’s €800 billion recovery plan, NextGenerationEU, can be an effective measure to tackle the current economic challenges.

Inflation is still a major concern for European citizens, but less so than at the start of the year. 27% of Europeans think ‘price rise-inflation-cost of living’ is one of the two most important issues facing the EU at the moment (-5am from Jan-Feb). The international situation comes second with 25% (-3am), followed by immigration (24%, +7%) and “environment and climate change” (22%, +2am). Energy supply (16%, -10%) sees a sharp decline, falling from third to sixth place.

For Greeks, the most important issues facing the EU are immigration (25%) and energy supply (25%), the international situation (23%), the economic situation (22%) and prices-inflation-costs lifetime (18%).

When asked “what are the two most important issues facing your country”, 45% in the EU answered “price rise – inflation – cost of living” (-8am) and “economic situation” (18% , +1 am), “environment and climate change” (16%, +2%), “immigration” (14%, +5%.) and “health” (14%). Concerns about energy supply plummeted (12%, -7am), dropping from second to fifth place.

Among the most important issues facing the country, Greek citizens rank first the increase in prices and inflation (49%), second the economic situation (35%) and third health (24%). This is followed by unemployment (18%) and immigration (13%).