Focus on Europe. Results of a representative survey commissioned by the Association of German Banks ahead of the 20th German Banking Congress 2014

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Mervyn Pope
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1 Focus on Europe Results of a representative survey commissioned by the Association of German Banks ahead of the 20th German Banking Congress 2014 April 2014

2 I. Stronger appreciation of the benefits of EU membership for Germany European solidarity with the debt-laden eurozone countries in the form of loans and financial aid has not led in Germany to a negatively connoted paymaster image again. On the contrary, since 2010 the impression that Germany benefits from EU membership has grown steadily among citizens (from 23 to 35%), whereas the proportion of those who fear mostly disadvantages for the country has declined noticeably (from 29 to 19%). In addition, 87% believe that the EU is either important (54%) or very important (33%) for Germany s economic development. 2

On the contrary, since 2010 the impression that Germany benefits from EU membership has grown steadily among citizens (from 23 to 35%), whereas the

3 For Germany, membership of the European Union brings mostly advantages 35 advantages and disadvantages mostly disadvantages 44 don t know/ no response 3

4 For Germany, membership of the European Union brings 80 mostly advantages mostly disadvantages advantages and disadvantages

44 17 advantages and disadvantages 44 46 47 46 40 45 30 29 29 30 30 24 23 28 22

5 For Germany s economic development, the EU is 52 very important important not so important unimportant /2006 3/2014 5

6 Germany has come through the crisis well The financial crisis and the sovereign debt crisis have strengthened awareness that Germany is deeply embedded in the EU and also benefits economically as a result. Correspondingly, the great majority of citizens (79%) are also convinced that Germany is better-off economically than its western European neighbours. This reflects the view that the country has come through the crisis/crises relatively well. For the first time since the turn of the century, a majority of Germans therefore believe that policymakers have the ability to fix the country s economic problems. 6

Correspondingly, the great majority of citizens (79%) are also convinced that Germany is better-off economically than its western European neighbours.

7 Compared with its western European neighbours, Germany s economic situation is 79 better the same worse

8 Compared with its western European neighbours, Germany s economic situation is 100 better the same worse

40 43 38 40 36 34 35 31 30 30 31 24 33 20 28 23 12 20 16 14 7 10 3

9 Are policymakers able to fix the country s economic problems? 100 yes no /2009 9/

100 yes no 80 60 66 75 68 63 50 60 66 71 56 51 55 40

10 II. A feeling that the euro crisis has been overcome Alongside a more positive perception of the EU, trust and confidence in the single European currency have also increased: only 18% of respondents (following 31% in 2012) currently believe that the euro brings mostly disadvantages for Germany. Two-thirds of citizens (66%) are of the opinion that the euro has (a) been a success so far and (b) will also be a success in the long term (in 2012, only 49% in both cases). In the eyes of citizens, the euro has evidently already passed the acid test. 10

11 For Germany, the euro brings as a whole... 3 mostly advantages advantages and disadvantages mostly disadvantages 45 don t know/ no response 11

12 For Germany, the euro brings as a whole mostly advantages mostly disadvantages advantages and disadvantages /2003 9/2012 3/

13 For Germany, the euro brings as a whole advantages disadvantages advantages and disadvantages /1999 2/2002 3/2003 9/2012 3/

disadvantages advantages and disadvantages 39

14 The euro has been a success so far will be a success in the long term yes 66 no

15 The euro has been a success so far yes no / /2010 2/2011 9/2012 6/2013 3/

16 The euro will be a success in the long term yes no /2001 2/2002 3/2003 3/ /2010 2/2011 9/2012 6/2013 3/

44 43 34 36 28 20 28 19 20 14 0 5/2001 2/2002

17 III. Majority for solidarity with the eurozone s crisis-hit countries Nearly six out of ten respondents (57%) believe that it was right to save the debt-laden eurozone countries from insolvency by providing financial aid. Compared with summer 2013, this proportion has increased slightly again. 17

the debt-laden eurozone countries from insolvency by providing financial

18 Saving the crisis-hit eurozone countries from insolvency by providing financial aid was 6 right wrong don t know/ no response 18

19 Saving the crisis-hit eurozone countries from insolvency by providing financial aid was right wrong /2013 3/

20 About the survey Survey period: 7 11 March 2014 Sample: 995 respondents (German citizens) aged 18 and over Survey method: Computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) Commissioned by: Current survey and 2013 survey: Association of German Banks, Berlin GfK Gesellschaft für Marktforschung, Nuremberg Earlier surveys: ipos Institut für praxisorientierte Sozialforschung, Mannheim The results of all surveys are representative of the eligible voting population in Germany. All results shown in per cent. Percentage points short of 100 % accounted for by don t know /no response. 20

Marktforschung, Nuremberg Earlier surveys: ipos Institut für praxisorientierte Sozialforschung, Mannheim The results of all surveys are

EUROBAROMETER 70 PUBLIC OPINION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AUTUMN 2008. Standard Eurobarometer 70 / Autumn 2008 TNS Opinion & Social

Standard Eurobarometer European Commission EUROBAROMETER 70 PUBLIC OPINION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AUTUMN 2008 NATIONAL REPORT Standard Eurobarometer 70 / Autumn 2008 TNS Opinion & Social EXECUTIVE SUMMARY