OR rising prices and cost of living (70%) and the financial situation (69%) were the main parameters for the decisions of Greek citizens in the European elections in June (42% and 41% respectively for the EU), according to the Eurobarometer poll released today by the European Parliament.

A third of voters pan-European (34%) state that the international situation was an issue that prompted them to go to the polls, while a similar percentage cite the defense of democracy and the rule of law as a motivation (32%).

In Greece, in third place among the issues that urged citizens to vote (with a rate of 40%) is the social protectionwelfare and access to health care, while the international situation was mentioned by 37% of respondents.

Among those who did not vote, respondents answered that the cost of living (46%) and the economic situation (36%) could act as incentives to participate in the elections.

The corresponding percentages in Greece are 65% and 58%, with social protection, welfare and health care third (40%).

Optimism about the future of the EU and trust in the European authorities

The results of the survey show that citizens, both in Greece and in the EU, are optimistic about the future of the EU (65%).

On average, in the EU citizens say they still have a positive impression of it: 48% gave positive answers, while only 16% said they have a negative image. EU membership is also viewed favourably, as seven out of ten Europeans believe that their country has benefited from being a member of the EUa percentage that has remained stable in recent years.

In the EU as a whole, there are four main reasons why citizens see their country’s membership in the EU as beneficial: increased cooperation between member states (36%), protection of peace and enhanced security (32%), EU contribution to economic development (28%) and creation of new job opportunities (24%).

In Greeceh protection of peace and strengthening of security is in first place (45%), h improving cooperation between Greece and the other EU countries in the second (36%) and follow the fact that the EU strengthens the voice of the Greek people in the world (31%) and the improvement of cooperation between Greece and non-EU countries (24%).

Trust in European parliamentary democracy is particularly high at the start of the 10th EP parliamentary term: 42% of citizens have a positive image of the European Parliament – the highest ever recorded for this indicator. The corresponding percentage in Greece is 34% (stable compared to the last measurement).

European citizens confirmed their support for EU democracy in the European elections last June. Turnout was 50.74%, the highest in the last 30 years and similar to 2019. 56% of survey participants agree that their voice counts in the EU. However, in Greece only 26% of citizens agree that their voice counts in the EU.

The analysis of this post-election survey further shows that participation in the European elections is becoming a habit for many citizens. When asked why they voted, 50% of Greek voters (46% in the EU) said they always dowhile 46% (42% in the EU) said it was their duty as citizens and 29% (20% in the EU) wanted to support the political party they feel closest to.

At the European level, the citizens’ decision about the who will they vote for? in the 2024 European elections was mainly based on how close each party’s proposals were to their ideas and values: a particular party’s proposals on European issues were the most frequent reason for voters to choose them, with 47% (+4 percentage points from 2019). Correspondingly, the findings were also in Greecewhere 52% of respondents voted the party they usually vote for.

European Parliament President Roberta Metzola, commenting on the survey results, said: “Last June, citizens across Europe made their voices heard as we saw the highest turnout for the European Parliament in 30 years. They instructed us to act, to provide answers and solutions, to make a difference in their daily lives. We will do it. In the coming weeks, the European Parliament will scrutinize the composition of the new European Commission to ensure it tackles the issues that are a priority for citizens: the cost of living, the state of our economy, democracy, the rule of law, immigration and security. The European Parliament will continue to work to make the voice of citizens heard in the EU.”