Migration and asylum (39%), and the defense and security of the EU (39%) were mentioned much less frequently by Dutch voters. This emerges from a large European opinion survey.
Furthermore, the results show that citizens are optimistic about the future of the EU (65%) and that they maintain a positive view of the EU (48%). Only 16 percent say they have a negative image of the EU. Seven out of ten Europeans (70%) believe their country has benefited from EU membership, a figure that has remained stable in recent years.
More cooperation between member states (57%), protection of peace and strengthening security (43%), and the EU's contribution to economic growth (43%) are cited as reasons why Dutch citizens view membership as favorable.
Confidence in European parliamentary democracy is particularly high at the start of the tenth term of the EP: 42% (48% in the Netherlands) of citizens have a positive image of the European Parliament – the highest result ever for this indicator.
Further analysis of this post-electoral survey shows that voting in European elections is becoming a habit for many citizens. When asked why they voted, 46% (59% in the Netherlands) of voters said they always do, while 42% (35% in the Netherlands) say it is their duty as a citizen, and 20% (24% in the Netherlands) say they want to support the political party they feel connected to.