Half of Europeans cannot picture a credible path to a stronger EU, an “imagination gap” that risks ceding the political initiative to nostalgic far‑right forces, according to a major new study by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
Issued on: 09/09/2026 - 20:53
2 min Reading time
The report, based on 5,834 AI‑moderated interviews in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, plus desk research in 15 EU states, identifies four broad "attitudes". Catalyst for renewal Around one in five are "positive", with some seeing crises as a catalyst for renewal; the largest group in most countries, however, is "negative", viewing Europe as being in decline; roughly a third of those questioned are "uncertain", wanting more Europe but doubting that leaders can deliver it; and about a tenth are "disconnected".
ЄС запровадив нові санкції проти Росії © Yves Herman / Reuters
