As Britain gears up for its June 23 referendum where it will be decided whether or not the UK will remain in the European Union, one Washington-based research firm finds that most Europeans think a Brexit would hurt Europe.
This is just one of the key findings in the latest Pew Research Center survey, which had over 10,000 respondents from 10 EU nations from April 4 to May 12.
In the nine countries surveyed, not voting in referendum to be held in less than two weeks, Pew found that a median of 70% believe it “would be bad for the EU if the UK decided to depart” while only 16% say it would be a “good thing."
Not only would it hurt the continent, but also its governing body, Pew continued. “There is overwhelming sentiment across Europe that Brexit would be a bad thing for the European institution: 89% in Sweden, 75% in the Netherlands and 74% in Germany say the British leaving would be not good for the EU.”
Pew found however that France may not be losing too much sleep over a UK-free Europe.
“France is the only country where more than a quarter (32%) of the public says it would be positive for the EU if the UK departed,” the report added.
In terms of how the UK will vote later this month, the country is split. Just take a look at the Financial Times' latest poll tracker:
But how do Europeans really feel about the Brussels-based institution that governs them?
“The Pew Research Center survey finds that in six of 10 countries more people want devolution of EU power than support the status quo or favor giving more power to the Brussels-based institution,” the report said.
“Roughly two-thirds of Greeks (68%) and British (65%) want some EU power returned to Athens and London. This is particularly the view of British ages 50 and older (73%); only 51% of those ages 18-34 agree.”
Pew added that there is also “little enthusiasm” for transferring more power to Brussels. “As the British head to the polls, just 6% of the public in the UK wants such an outcome,” Pew wrote.
Why so much hate?
According to Pew’s findings, Europeans are not happy with how their leaders are not only handling the economy, but also the refugee crisis.
“In every country surveyed, overwhelming majorities disapprove of how Brussels has dealt with the problem. This includes 94% of Greeks, 88% of Swedes and 77% of Italians. The strongest approval of EU management of the refugee crisis is in the Netherlands, but that backing is a tepid 31%,” the report said.
As for the economy, Pew found that majorities in Sweden (59%) and in the UK (55%) disapprove of the EU’s job in dealing with economic challenges.
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