Luxembourg residents loyal to EU

(CS) Over 70 percent of Luxembourg residents said that they are attached to the European Union and that being a member of the EU is a good thing for the Grand Duchy, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey.

Carried out by the European Parliament, the survey found that 74 percent of Luxembourg residents say that they are attached to the EU, up two points compared to 2012 and well above the EU average of 46 percent.

Additionally, 71 percent said that being a member of the EU is a good thing and 72 percent said that Luxembourg benefits from being a member state.

Some 85 percent of Luxembourg residents also believe that the Grand Duchy's opinion counts in the EU, and 53 percent agreed that their voice makes a difference in the EU.

Both of these are above EU average, where just 62 percent believe that their country makes a difference and 39 percent think that their voice makes a difference in the union.

Unemployment and debt among biggest challenges

Looking towards the future, Luxembourg residents said that the biggest challenges that need to be tackled by the EU are unemployment, access to jobs for young people and the public debt of member states.

They were also optimistic that in ten years' time Europe's citizens would be more involved in EU affairs.

Some 75 percent also said they believe that what unites Europe's citizens is greater than what divides them.

With just around a year to go until the next EU elections, over 65 percent spoke out in favour of a direct election of the European Commission President by the citizens, rather than an internal nomination.

Over 35 percent said that this would strengthen the ties between the EU and its citizens, with 34 percent saying that the decisions would be more legitimate in the eyes of the Europeans. Another 29 percent said that it would strengthen the feeling of being a European citizen.

For the Eurobarometer, the European Parliament surveyed 27,624 people across the EU, with a representative group of 513 people polled in Luxembourg.

To download the full fact sheet click here.