EU gets chinks in its armor as citizens disillusioned with integration

A recently carried out survey by Pew Research Center in ten European countries shows that majority of Europeans want their governments to focus more towards solving the problems of their respective nations instead of helping other nations of EU bloc to solve theirs.

Only 40 percent of the respondents want their government to help other countries in solving their problems, while 56 percent want the governments to focus only on local issues.

The numbers are much worse for some countries such as Greece where 83 percent want the government to focus on local problem.
It is quite understandable, given the conditions in Greece. Greece, on one hand, is suffering from severe austerity measures and on the other hand, lying at the epicenter of the refugee crisis.

But, why that number is at 67 percent for Italy, Europe’s third-largest economy or for that matter 60 percent in France? Even 40 percent German agree with two-third Italians. The great recession and rising number of people from the Middle East with contrast culture and religion have shaken Europe to its core, compelling people to lean back towards their self-concerned instinct.

The European idea of integrity, no matter how relevant, practical or noble, can’t sustain without the support of people and governments. In a recent referendum in Netherlands that was non-binding, people voted against Europe’s approach towards Ukraine. A separate survey by Pew, shows almost 42 percent of the Europeans want some powers to be returned from Brussels to the local governments, while only 19 percent support further integration.

In a bid to walk an extra mile, Europe is probably risking what it has achieved so far.