2007 - Eurobarometer Survey - How Europeans see the European Parliament

This Eurobarometer survey (no 68) was carried out in the spring of 2007, two years before the European elections from 4 to 7 June 2009. It reveals that Europeans see the Parliament as the institution with the most power within the EU and the one that would like to have more influence. They are aware of its important legislative role, which is decisive in some cases, but they do not have a very clear idea of how it works. Most of those polled thought that MEPs sit in national delegations rather than being grouped according to their political affinities. Sizeable majorities wanted Parliament to give priority to combating terrorism while respecting individual freedoms, combating climate change and improving consumer and public health protection. The main values to be given priority were protection of human rights in the world, equality between men and women, and solidarity between EU Member States.