The latest Eurobarometer, published to mark Europe Day, shows that a growing number of Europeans see the European Union as a source of stability in times of uncertainty. Support is also increasing for joint action on security and defence, now declared by 81 percent of respondents. In recent years, under the influence of geopolitical tensions, this area of EU activity — previously clearly on the margins — has gained significantly in importance.
In the spring 2026 survey, which covered more than 26,000 people from 27 Member States, half of Europeans said they trusted the European Union. This is a slightly better result than in autumn 2025. Respondents most often cited the protection of democracy and fundamental values, protection against external threats, and the ability to respond to global challenges as the main reasons for their trust.
“The European Union wants to be ambitious and has begun to believe in its own capabilities, something the Polish Prime Minister also called for. I want to say very clearly that the funds we have planned after 2028 may be the last such gigantic injection of money that we should use to finance, among other things, infrastructure or projects in the defence sector,” Michał Szczerba, Member of the European Parliament, told Newseria during Europe Day organised at the Europa Experience multimedia centre in Warsaw.
The draft financial framework for 2028–2034 is currently being discussed by EU institutions. According to the European Commission’s proposal from July 2025, the new multiannual budget is to amount to around EUR 2 trillion, equivalent to 1.26 percent of gross national income. In the position adopted at its plenary session in April this year, the European Parliament supported an increase of around 10 percent and the exclusion of debt repayment costs from the budget. According to MEPs, defence and competitiveness should become new spending priorities, but not at the expense of cohesion policy and agriculture.
MEPs supported the Commission’s proposal to double spending on competitiveness, defence, innovation, digital and green transformation, infrastructure, health, education and culture. As Michał Szczerba points out, spending on military mobility is set to increase as much as tenfold compared with the current financial framework.
“This is a gigantic opportunity for Polish infrastructure, which will have a dual use — on the one hand, it will serve civilian purposes, and on the other, military ones,” the politician said.
When asked about the priorities of the future EU multiannual budget, Europeans most often point to employment, social affairs and public health, mentioned by 41 percent of respondents. Security and defence came second on the list, with 38 percent.
“This is a strategic change that has taken place. An area that was previously not a focus of interest for the European Union is now moving from the SAFE programme to permanent security financing through multiannual budgets. I am absolutely convinced that this shift was triggered by the Polish presidency, which focused on security and competitiveness,” Michał Szczerba said.
This change in EU policy is primarily a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as well as the new reality in transatlantic relations during Donald Trump’s second presidency. The spring Eurobarometer indicates that Europeans support this direction. Fifty-five percent of respondents declared support for the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Three quarters agree that the EU should continue supporting Ukraine until a lasting and just peace is achieved. Support for EU financing of the purchase and delivery of military equipment to Ukraine also remains relatively high, at 56 percent.
Europeans’ concerns about the future are largely linked to the uncertain global situation, especially the war in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. Even more people, however, point to the rising cost of living. In addition, respondents assess the economic situation in the European Union with relatively little optimism. Although 44 percent of Europeans believe the economy is in good condition, 36 percent expect it to worsen. By comparison, only 15 percent forecast an improvement.
In the context of the economic situation, much is being said about the competitiveness of European industry, with energy costs and requirements related to climate policy among its important elements.
“Our ultimate goal is to revise climate policy so that tax burdens do not hit households and industry — in other words, Europe’s competitiveness and the wallets of EU citizens,” the Member of the European Parliament emphasised. “The position of the Polish government has been reflected, among other things, in the delay to the entry into force of ETS2.”
