EU Citizens Demand Unified Defense Amid Growing Global Uncertainty

The report highlights a paradox: citizens feel increasingly uneasy about the current global climate yet remain more committed to the union than at any point since 2013. European Parliament spokesperson Delphine Colard noted that security and defense are now the primary drivers of this pro-European sentiment. This shift arrives as the bloc prepares to negotiate its Multi-annual Financial Framework for 2028, with 75 percent of the public demanding greater collective resources to address international instability.

This trend toward unity poses a challenge to nationalist narratives, such as the platform of French National Rally candidate Jordan Bardella, who has campaigned on slashing France’s contribution to the EU budget. Despite these political frictions, the survey confirms that the pro-EU stance is a majority view in every member state. Generational data further bolsters this consensus: young people between 15 and 24 remain the most enthusiastic supporters of the project, with 92 percent of that demographic reporting a high quality of life compared to 80 percent of those over 55.