Bizarre survey finding o' the day
Eurobarometer is back. Hurrah!
Only it would think it a good idea to ask this question:
"[What] would most strengthen your feeling about being a European citizen?"
And a list of rather odd possibilities is given, and the leading answer (39%) is 'A European social welfare system harmonised between the Member States (health, pensions, etc.)'. Couldn't possibly be a bit of push polling going on, could there? Heaven forfend...
Other popular options are "A community action service to fight European and international natural disasters" (24%) (I've mocked euro Thunderbirds before) and "A President of the EU directly elected by Member State citizens" (20%).
A rum business all together.
In an amusing development, it looks as though persons unknown have been touring Europe stirring up apathy, as interest in the Euro Elections has fallen two points from the last survey. EB will continue to use disinterest as the antonym of interest, a usage that never fails to enrage.
Rather disgustingly, only a pitiful 34% of EU voters declare that they will definitely vote in June. The United Kingdom's electorate disgraces itself with a derisory 18% certain to vote. Mind you, the Portuguese have obviously forgotten Salazar, as only 8% of them will definitely vote. Belgium leads with a still contemptible 55%, although voting is (or certainly was in 2008) compulsory. EU-wide turn out in 2004 was 46%, apparently. We managed 38.2%.
Only it would think it a good idea to ask this question:
"[What] would most strengthen your feeling about being a European citizen?"
And a list of rather odd possibilities is given, and the leading answer (39%) is 'A European social welfare system harmonised between the Member States (health, pensions, etc.)'. Couldn't possibly be a bit of push polling going on, could there? Heaven forfend...
Other popular options are "A community action service to fight European and international natural disasters" (24%) (I've mocked euro Thunderbirds before) and "A President of the EU directly elected by Member State citizens" (20%).
A rum business all together.
In an amusing development, it looks as though persons unknown have been touring Europe stirring up apathy, as interest in the Euro Elections has fallen two points from the last survey. EB will continue to use disinterest as the antonym of interest, a usage that never fails to enrage.
Rather disgustingly, only a pitiful 34% of EU voters declare that they will definitely vote in June. The United Kingdom's electorate disgraces itself with a derisory 18% certain to vote. Mind you, the Portuguese have obviously forgotten Salazar, as only 8% of them will definitely vote. Belgium leads with a still contemptible 55%, although voting is (or certainly was in 2008) compulsory. EU-wide turn out in 2004 was 46%, apparently. We managed 38.2%.
Labels: Elections, Eurobarometer
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on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 2:52 pm.
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