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Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union (EU), and opposition to the process of European integration. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state. Other views occasionally seen as eurosceptic include perceptions of the EU being undemocratic or too bureaucratic.[1][2] A Eurobarometer survey of EU citizens in 2009 showed that support for membership of the EU was lowest in Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Hungary.[3]:91-93
[edit] EU citizens attitudes towards the EU (Eurobarometer survey 2009)A survey in 2009[update] showed that within the European Union overall, the majority of EU citizens support their country's membership: over 50% think their country's membership is a good thing, and only 15 % think it is a bad thing.[3]:91-93[4]:QA6a Attitudes vary greatly between countries. Support is greatest in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, with about 70%–80% thinking that membership is a good thing.[3]:91-93 Scepticism is highest in Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Hungary, with only 25%–32% viewing membership as a good thing.[3]:91-93 In Britain, opinions are divided, fairly evenly, between those who think that membership is a good thing, a bad thing, or neither good nor bad.[3]:91-93 The majority of citizens (56%) believe that membership of the EU has benefited their country, while a significant minority (31%) believe that their country has not benefited.[3]:95-96[4]:QA7a Belief that the citizen's country has benefited from EU membership is lowest (below 50%) in the UK, Hungary, Latvia, Italy, Austria, Sweden and Bulgaria.[3]:95-96 About a half of EU citizens tend to trust the European Parliament (48%), and a significant minority (36%) do not tend to trust it.[3]:110-112[4]:QA 13.1 Trust is highest in Slovakia, Belgium, Malta, Denmark, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Luxembourg; it is lowest in the UK (22%) and Latvia (40%).[3]:110-112 Trust in the European Commission and the ECB is slightly lower.[3]:114-117[4]: QA 13.2 A positive to neutral image of the EU dominates, with about 46% of citizens having a positive image and only 16% having a negative image; about 36% have a neutral image.[3]:130-133[4]: QA 10 [edit] History in the European Parliament
[edit] 1999-2004A study analyzed voting records of the Fifth European Parliament and ranked groups, concluding:[5] "Towards the top of the figure are the more pro-European parties (PES, EPP-ED, and ALDE), whereas towards the bottom of the figure are the more anti-European parties (EUL/NGL, G/EFA, UEN and EDD)". [edit] 2004-2009In 2004, 37 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the UK, Poland, Denmark and Sweden founded a new European Parliament group called “Independence and Democracy” from the old Europe of Democracies and Diversities (EDD) group. The main goals of the ID group were to reject the proposed Treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. Some delegations within the group, notably the United Kingdom Independence Party, also advocate the complete withdrawal of their country from the EU whilst others only wish to limit further European integration. [edit] 2009 electionsThe elections in 2009 saw a significant drop in some areas in support for Eurosceptic parties, with all MEPs from Poland, Denmark and Sweden losing their seats. However, in the UK, the eurosceptic United Kingdom Independence Party achieved second place in the elections, finishing ahead of the governing Labour party. Although new members joined the ID group from Greece and the Netherlands, it remains unclear as to whether the ID group will reform in the new parliament. The ID group reformed as Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) and is represented by 32 MEP's from 9 countries. [edit] In DenmarkThe Unity Party and Socialist People's Party (Greens) were against accession to the European Union, but only the Unity Party has withdrawal from the EU as a policy. The right wing Danish People's Party also advocate withdrawal. [edit] In EstoniaThe Independence Party and Centre Party were against accession to the EU, but only the Independence Party still wants Estonia to withdraw from the European Union. [edit] In SwedenThe Left Party of Sweden was against accession to the European Union and still want Sweden to leave the European Union.[6] Also the Sweden Democrats have the same political ideas. [edit] In the United KingdomMain article: Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom In Britain, the Labour Party base is more eurosceptic than the party elite, which is something the Conservative leadership has sought to exploit.[7] Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom (UK) is a very controversial issue and has been a significant element in British politics since the inception of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the EU. The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is the most prominent of all UK eurosceptic parties and fourth largest British political party[citation needed] , receiving 16.5% of the vote at the 2009 European Parliament elections, putting them in second place ahead of the governing Labour Party. In the same elections, the nationalist and eurosceptic British National Party was also for the first time elected into the European parliament. [edit] See also
[edit] References
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