New Eurobarometer survey

A new Eurobarometer survey has revealed that the majority of European citizens think that regions and local authorities are the most trusted layer of government.

The survey, presented by President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Luc Van den Brande, and European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallstrom, also revealed that European citizens believe regions and local authorities and best placed to explain how European policies impact on their day-to-day lives.

The figures in the Eurobarometer survey speak for themselves. Only one third of European citizens tend to trust their national government (34%), while half of them say that they trust their local and regional authorities (50%). In France, Belgium and the Netherlands the figure is even higher and sits at 62-65%. The survey also shows that 59% of European citizens would also like to see regional and local authorities have a greater say in the EU decision making process.

Luc Van den Brande said the survey backed up the view of the CoR that people trust their local and regional representatives who they know best.
“These democratic representatives know what the people of their constituency think and want,” he explained.

“If Europe wants to gain confidence and to close the gap between Brussels and the citizens, there is no other way that to involve these representatives and their institution, the Committee of the Regions, more in EU decision making.”

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Last Updated: 2009. 03. 05. 16:51:33 By Charlotte Jacques