As Europe faces intertwined internal and external pressures, the question is no longer simply whether Europeans are in favour of Europe; it is whether they can believe in it.
This year’s European Sentiment Compass — a joint initiative of the European Cultural Foundation and the European Council on Foreign Relations — explores that challenge at a moment when Europe has become more central to political debate, while many citizens struggle to imagine a convincing Europe of tomorrow. Drawing on almost six thousand conversations with citizens in Germany, France, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK, coupled with the analysis of political debates in 15 European countries, this research asks which visions of Europe’s future resonate with citizens – and which fail to inspire them.
The research points to a tension at the heart of Europe’s current political moment: Europe matters more in public debate, but many citizens struggle to imagine a convincing Europe of tomorrow. The challenge for pro-European leaders is therefore not simply to defend Europe, but to close this “imagination gap” and make their vision of Europe’s future feel within reach.
This launch event, kindly hosted by MEP Michał Wawrykiewicz at the European Parliament, will mark the fifth edition of the European Sentiment Compass.