Support for EU at low ebb in Finland

Union seen to swallow too much money and regulate too much

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Finns are taking an increasingly negative view of the European Union. According to a recent survey by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA), one third of respondents take a positive view of membership - fewer than at any time since Finland became a member in 1995.
     Those with a negative attitude have increased in the past couple of years, even though the numbers have declined somewhat since the record highs of the early part of the decade.
     EVA has regularly studied Finnish opinions on international affairs for over 20 years, and views of the EU since 1992.
     
EVA researcher Kai Torvi notes that the data for the survey was compiled in December and January, and he believes that a surge of bad news for the EU at that time may have influenced the result.
     The proposed EU constitution got into trouble already in the summer, and the proposed service directive has been the focus of much negative attention. Also the EU's budget framework was debated as the survey was being conducted.
     "One explanatory factor is the increase in the net membership contribution", Torvi observes.
     An increasing number of correspondents - 69 percent - either agree completely, or somewhat with the claim that EU membership dues are too high in comparison with the benefits that it brings.
     During the past decade, the view has grown stronger that the EU is forcing Finns to follow unnecessary rules. Four in five are either completely, or partially in agreement with the statement.
     
One in four were in favour of leaving the EU, but Torvi says that the criticism of a majority of Finns is constructive. "The right solution would seem to be improving the activities of the present European Union. We are integrating into the Union, because it is seen as the only alternative", Torvi points out.
     During the Finnish term at the EU Presidency, which begins in the summer, Finland should focus more on fighting international crime, promoting openness in the EU, and security the viability of agriculture in Finland.
     Most Finns oppose moves to promote the development of the EU into a federation.
     One result which comes as something of a surprise to Torvi is that the fear felt by many Finns toward globalisation appears to have eased somewhat.


Links:
  Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA): EVA Attitude Survey: Finns less worried on globalisation, but doubtful about the EU

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