The European Union’s efforts to control irregular migration are met with criticism from a majority of Europeans, as revealed by an exclusive Euronews poll conducted by Ipsos. The survey, which included nearly 26,000 respondents across 18 member states, showed that 51% view the EU’s impact on migration policy negatively, compared to only 16% with a positive view. France, Austria, and Hungary are the most critical nations, while Denmark, Romania, and Finland are the least critical. The dissatisfaction with the EU’s migration policy cuts across genders, age groups, and occupations, with voters of far-right parties expressing the harshest views. The assessment of the bloc’s impact on migration policy is the most disparaging of the six areas examined in the poll.
The dissatisfaction with the EU’s migration policy has led to a demand for stronger border controls to combat irregular migration, with 71% of respondents in the poll agreeing that this should be the main focus in the coming years. Support for stronger border controls is highest in countries like Poland, Bulgaria, and Finland, while a minority of 28% believe in prioritizing a “policy of welcoming immigrants in the name of humanist values.” Conservative and liberal party supporters are more likely to call for stronger border controls, while those who back the Socialists and Democrats group are split between stronger border controls and humanist values. Gender, age groups, and occupations also show a clear preference for beefing up border controls.
Migration concerns are expected to remain high as citizens cast their ballots in the upcoming European Parliament elections. The fight against irregular migration is seen as a priority by 59% of respondents, making it the fourth most important topic on the agenda ahead of unemployment, climate change, and other issues. Finland is the only member state where more people view the fight against irregular migration as “important but not a priority.” Far-right parties across Europe have been fueling and politicizing concerns related to migration, leading to increased importance of the issue among voters. The ongoing disputes among member states about migration policy have further exacerbated the situation.
The survey results also indicate that Europeans are divided on the issue of migration, with some advocating for stronger border controls and others supporting a more welcoming approach based on humanist values. The differing views are reflected in the voting intentions of various political parties, with far-right party supporters more likely to favor stricter border controls. The overall sentiment suggests that migration will continue to be a significant issue in the upcoming elections, with the majority of respondents prioritizing the fight against irregular migration. The EU’s response to these concerns, including the implementation of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, will be crucial in shaping future migration policies and addressing the dissatisfaction among European citizens.
