YLE survey: one in three Finns cannot name top priority for MEPs

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Pursuing the interests of Finland within the EU is seen as the most important task of Finnish MEPs, according to an opinion study carried out by Taloustutkimus on behalf of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE.
      When asked what is the most important task the new MEPs should turn themselves to, lobbying on behalf of Finnish interests and preserving Finnish independence and national decision-making powers were mentioned by 16% of respondents, handling the economic crisis by 11%, and fewer than one in ten placed either environmental issues, including climate change (8%), or agriculture and subsidies (6%) on their agenda.
     
Matters such as immigration and foreign and security policy were mentioned by around 1% of the 953 respondents.
      A further one per cent felt that the most important task was getting Finland out of the EU and putting an end to the Union.
     
Interestingly enough, roughly one in three of those polled could not say what the most important task of a Finnish Member of the European Parliament might be, barely three weeks before the country has to select its 13 MEPs to serve there for the next five years.
     
In a more detailed breakdown of the opinions offered, it was clear that Finnish interests and the preservation in Finnish hands of decision-making powers were most important to supporters of the eurosceptic True Finns (22%) and the Left Alliance (17%).
      Among the National Coalition Party supporters these issues were highlighted by only 11% of respondents.
      Agriculture and the fate of farming subsidies were of particular importance to supporters of the Swedish People's Party (17%) and the Centre Party (15%).


Previously in HS International Edition:
  HS poll suggests just 32 % of Finns will vote in European Parliament elections (11.5.2009)
  What interests Finns in EU is work, living, money, and moving around (6.5.2009)

Links:
  Ministry of Justice elections portal

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