60% of Portuguese local elected officials surveyed believe that regions and cities should have more influence on the future of the European Union. The European average is 48%.
And how can regions and cities participate more effectively in the debate on the future of Europe? securing ongoing debate on the topic at regional and local level, understands 70% of the Portuguese, compared to 65% of Europeans; support the creation of permanent citizen assemblies to promote debate. In this case, the Portuguese are also more enthusiastic than the European average, 37% compared to 28%. Participating in the debate / Constitutional Convention to review the EU Treaties is a valid option for 28% of Europeans and 26% of Portuguese…
As for the issues on which regions and cities should exert more influence in EU policy-making, the stronger economy, social justice and employment are preferred by more than 3 out of 4 respondents in Portugal (76%), compared to an average of 55% of Europeans; followed in the Portuguese case by the climatic and environmental crisis with 67%; Education, culture, youth and sport for 48% (one percentage point below the European average), health just ahead for 47%… Values and rights, rule of law and security for 32%, a topic that Europeans value a little more (35%), digital transformation (30%), migration (19%), European democracy (18%) and the EU in the world (foreign policy, development cooperation, etc.), gathers the preference of 15%.
On the type of actions carried out by local or regional entities in response to the war against Ukraine, receiving refugees from Ukraine was the response chosen by 67% of Portuguese mayors compared to 76% of the European average; showing political solidarity with Ukraine is a factor indicated by 58% of the Portuguese (57% in the European average). The Portuguese are clearly above the European average also in supporting citizens and local civil society organizations in their solidarity action (from 60% to 53% of the European average) and in sending material aid to Ukraine (68% vs. 50% on average in the EU). ).
what should be the main objectives of EU funding for the future development of your city or region? Mitigating the impact of the climate crisis is the choice of 47% of Portuguese elected officials (42% in the EU), an equal share of 37% refers to supporting the green transition of the economy and mitigating fluctuations in energy prices; investment in modern transport facilities is mentioned by 33% of respondents in Portugal, in this barometer that carried out 2,698 interviews across the European Union (e-mail invitations were sent to local politicians at all political and of all affiliations), with 108 in Portugal and field work between July 25 and September 11.
Source: TSF
