Special Eurobarometer 477 Report Democracy and elections Fieldwork September 2018 Publication November 2018 Survey requested by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers and co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors. Special Eurobarometer 477 – Wave EB90.1 – Kantar Public Special Eurobarometer 477 Report Democracy and elections September 2018 Survey conducted by Kantar Public Brussels, on behalf of Kantar Belgium at the request of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) Survey co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM “Media monitoring, media analysis and Eurobarometer” Unit) Project number Project title Linguistic version Catalogue number ISBN © European Union, 2018 2018.6528 Special Eurobarometer 477 - September 2018 “Democracy and elections” Report EN DS-07-18-005-EN-N 978-92-79-97468-7 doi:10.2838/771907 http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 KEY FINDINGS 4 I. VOTING AND ELECTIONS IN EUROPE 7 1 2 3 4 Voting in the EU when living in another country than the country of origin a. Voting for the European Parliament elections b. Right to vote in national elections in the country of origin 12 c. Preferred way of voting in national elections in the country of origin 15 d. EU citizens as candidates in municipal elections 19 Increasing turnout 8 24 a. Increasing turnout in local elections 24 b. Increasing turnout in the European Parliament elections 27 Europeans’ concerns related to voting and elections 32 a. Voting electronically, online or by post 32 b. Potential concerns about elections in Europe 36 Fair elections and fraudulent activities II. ELECTIONS, THE INTERNET AND ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS 1 8 Participation in political debates on online social networks 2 The use of the Internet and online social networks during pre-election periods 43 46 46 56 a. Main concerns 56 b. Rules and principles to apply to online social networks and Internet platforms 60 III. DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN EUROPE 72 1 Satisfaction with democratic principles in the EU 72 2 The role of civil society in protecting democracy 86 CONCLUSION 90 ANNEXES Technical specifications Questionnaire Tables 1 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report INTRODUCTION Democracy is a fundamental principle of the European Union. It is expressed in many ways in how the Union institutions work, not only by the rights of Member States to vote on issues, but also by the rights of citizens to directly elect members of the European Parliament to represent them. This representation, as well as citizens’ participation in decision making are key elements of democracy in the EU. The importance of representation and participation, through free and fair elections and an open, informed and plural political debate represent the cornerstones of a functioning democracy1. In fact, the right of EU citizens to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament and municipal elections in the countries in which they live, and their freedom to express themselves and form political associations are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights2. This survey was commissioned by the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers to explore citizens’ opinions and concerns about voting and elections, as well as their satisfaction with various aspects of democracy in the EU. It covers the following areas: § Opinions about voting in European or national parliamentary elections when living in an EU country other than their country of origin, including preferred voting methods; § The level of responsibility citizens from other EU countries should have if they win municipal elections in their country of residence; § Concerns about electronic, online or postal voting including electoral manipulations such as cyberattack and voter coercion; § Satisfaction with Member States’ actions to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections; § The level of participation in political debates in online social networks during election periods, as well as the reasons respondents do not participate; § Concerns about the use of the Internet and online social networks during election periods; § Opinions about whether online social networks, Internet platforms and those that use them should be bound by the same rules as traditional media during pre-election periods; § Satisfaction with a number of aspects of democracy in the EU, § The importance of the role of civil society in protecting democracy. It is important to note that not all questions were answered by all respondents. When this occurs, it is specified in the text and in the base statement below the charts. Sections where this applies are: § Section 2 (Elections, the Internet and online social networks): questions were only answered by respondents who said they used the Internet (82.4% of all respondents) – and in some cases only subgroups of Internet users. § Section 3 part 1 (Satisfaction with democratic principles in the EU): questions were only answered by respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (90.3% of all respondents). This was required in order to be compliant with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and it was not the result of a methodological decision. 1 2 http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/fpi/what-we-do/election_observation_missions_en.htm http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/146/the-charter-of-fundamental-rights 2 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The methodology used is that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys carried out by the DirectorateGeneral for Communication (“Media monitoring, media analysis and Eurobarometer” Unit)3. It is the same for all countries and territories covered in the survey. A technical note on the manner in which interviews were conducted is appended as an annex to this report. Also included are the interview methods and confidence interval4. Note: In this report, countries are referred to by their official abbreviation. The abbreviations used in this report correspond to: Belgium Bulgaria Czechia Denmark Germany Estonia Ireland Greece Spain France Croatia Italy Republic of Cyprus Latvia BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR HR IT CY * LV Lithuania Luxembourg Hungary Malta The Netherlands Austria Poland Portugal Romania Slovenia Slovakia Finland Sweden United Kingdom European Union – weighted average for the 28 Member States LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK EU28 * Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the ‘acquis communautaire’ has been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. For practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus are included in the ‘CY’ category and in the EU28 average. We wish to thank the people throughout the European Union who have given their time to take part in this survey. Without their active participation, this study would not have been possible. http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion The results tables are annexed. It should be noted that the total of the percentages indicated in the tables in this report may exceed 100% when the respondent was able to choose several answers to the same question. 3 4 3 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report KEY FINDINGS Maintaining the right to vote in national elections of their country of origin if living in another EU country is important for 74% of respondents. § Maintaining the right to vote in national elections of their country of origin if living in another EU country is important for 74% of respondents. § If living in an EU country other than their country of origin, the majority of respondents said they would rather vote in European Parliament elections organised in their country of residence (56%), while 26% would rather vote in their country of origin. Just 6% spontaneously said they would not vote § If they were living in another EU country, respondents most commonly prefer to vote in the national elections of their country of origin electronically/online (42%); 27% would prefer voting at the embassy or consulate of their country of origin and 19% postal voting. § Four in ten respondents (40%) answered that if EU citizens living in another EU country were elected in municipal elections, they should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position; 23% answered these candidates should have the same rights except for becoming mayor while 22% answered these candidates should only be allowed to exercise limited duties if elected. § Four in ten respondents (40%) said that the presence of candidates who are nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in local elections. Being better informed about the EU and its impact on citizens’ daily life is the factor most likely to increase the inclination to vote in the next European Parliament election § The factors most likely to increase a respondent’s inclination to vote in the next European Parliament election are being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life (43%), having more young people stand as candidates (31%) and having more women candidates (20%). Respondents most often answered they are concerned about a number of potential electoral interferences, but, despite these concerns, most considered their country is doing enough to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections § When asked generally about elections in Europe, respondents most often answered they were concerned about elections being manipulated through cyberattacks (61%), foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly (59%), the final result of an election being manipulated (56%) or votes being bought or sold (55%). § In spite of these concerns, 58% agreed their country is doing what is needed to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections, whether at the local, national or European level. § When it comes to voting electronically, online or by post, more than six in ten respondents were concerned about the potential of these voting methods for fraud or cyberattack (68%) and the difficulties of use for some people, such as people with disabilities or older people (65%), while 56% were concerned about voters being influenced by third parties, and 55% about the secrecy of the ballot. When asked about their concerns on the use of Internet in the pre-election period a large majority of respondents were concerned about disinformation or misinformation online § When asked about their concerns on the use of Internet in the pre-election period during local, national or European elections: 4 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report • Almost three quarters (73%) of Internet users were concerned about disinformation or misinformation online; • More than two thirds (67%) of Internet users were concerned the personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties • More than half (55%) of Internet users were concerned about restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks. § Almost one third of Internet-using respondents (32%) follow or participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks during election periods: 7% in an active way by following and contributing, while 25% follow in a passive way by reading or listening; the majority (59%) don’t follow or participate in these types of online debates while 8% spontaneously said they don’t use online social networks. • The main reasons mentioned by these respondents for not actively participating in discussions of political topics on online social networks during election periods was the belief that it is not useful (34%), a lack of trust in social networks (28%), or the belief active participation has no impact and is a waste of time (26%). A large majority of Internet users agreed that the rules traditional media have to observe during the pre-election period should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them § More than three quarters of Internet-using respondents (76%) agreed the rules traditional media have to observe during the pre-election period should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them. § Just over eight in ten Internet-using respondents (81%) were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear what content and publications were online advertisements and who is paying for them, and identical proportion is also in favour of equal opportunity being given to all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention. • Eight in ten (80%) were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups. • More than three quarters (79%) were in favour of candidates or political parties having the right of reply on online social networks, and that campaign-related opinion polls should only be published if accompanied by sufficient technical information (76%). • 74% were in favour of the introduction of the same strict silence period ("days of reflection") on online social networks that is required for other media. The majority of respondents were satisfied with most aspects of democracy in Europe, and shared the view that civil society has an important role in promoting and protecting democracy and common values § Seven in ten respondents (70%) were satisfied with free and fair elections, while more than six in ten were satisfied with freedom of speech (69%), respect for fundamental rights (65%) and the possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life (63%). § More than half were satisfied with media diversity (58%), the opportunity for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy (57%) and the rule of law (57%). 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report § Only a minority of respondents were satisfied with the fight against corruption (36%), with the fight against disinformation in the media (40%), and with the extent to which political parties take the interests of people like them into account (44%). § More than three quarters of respondents (76%) shared the view that civil society has an important role in promoting and protecting democracy and common values and, in particular, 32% considered that the role of civil society in this area is very important. 6 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report I. VOTING AND ELECTIONS IN EUROPE The first section of this report considers a range of aspects of voting and elections in Europe. It is split into four parts. The first part of this section begins with a discussion of opinions about voting in European or national parliamentary elections when living in an EU country other than the country of origin. The preferred method of voting in national elections when living in another EU country is also considered. Views are presented about the extent of responsibility EU citizens from other countries who win municipal elections should be allowed to have. The second part explores options for increasing turnout in both local and European Parliament elections. The third part looks at respondents’ concerns about voting electronically, online or by post. It also explores concerns about electoral interference including vote buying or selling, manipulation of results by cyberattack and voter coercion. The final part in this section presents respondents’ opinions about whether EU Member States were doing enough to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections. 7 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report 1 Voting in the EU when living in another country than the country of origin a. Voting for the European Parliament elections The majority would prefer to vote in European Parliament elections in their country of residence If they lived in an EU country other than their country of origin, the majority of respondents would rather vote in European Parliament elections organised in their country of residence (56%)5. Just over one quarter (26%) would rather vote in their country of origin. More than one in twenty spontaneously said it would depend on the election (7%), while 6% spontaneously said in this situation they would not vote. 5% of respondents said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 5 QB1 If you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, would you rather vote in European Parliament elections organised in …? …your country of residence; …your country of origin; It depends/ It depends on the elections (SPONTANEOUS); I would not vote (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 8 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In all but one country, most respondents said that in these circumstances they would prefer to vote in European Parliament elections in their country of residence, although there is considerable variation. The largest proportion of respondents who said this were in the Netherlands (73%), Luxembourg (72%), and Belgium and Hungary (both 66%), and the smallest were in Malta, Bulgaria (both 40%) and Denmark (45%). In Malta, slightly more respondents said they would prefer to vote in their country of origin, but the difference is small (41% vs 40% for country of residence). In Denmark (38%), Sweden and Romania (both 37%) the most common answer is that respondents would prefer to vote in their country of origin. Across the EU this option was least mentioned in Germany (14%), Luxembourg and the Netherlands (both 17%). At least one in ten respondents in Germany (15%), Bulgaria, Austria (both 11%) and Italy (10%) spontaneously said it depends on the election, while at least one in ten in Bulgaria, Portugal (both 11%), Slovakia and Slovenia (both 10%) spontaneously said they would not vote in European Parliament elections if they were living in another EU country. 9 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 10 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Overall, the socio-demographic analysis shows that in each demographic group respondents were most likely to prefer to vote in their country of residence. However, there were notable differences in proportions when it comes to age and education levels: § Respondents aged 25-39 (63%) and 40-54 (61%) were the most likely to prefer to vote in their country of residence, compared to 49% of those aged 55+. § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to prefer to vote in their country of residence, and the less likely they were to have said they would not vote. For instance, 66% of those who completed education aged 20+ would prefer to vote in their country of residence, compared to 45% of those who completed education aged 15 or younger. In addition, respondents with a positive image of the EU (63%) were more likely to prefer to vote in European Parliament elections in their country of residence, compared to those with a neutral (58%) or negative view (47%). Compared to those with a positive or neutral image, those with a negative view were the most likely to want to vote in their country of origin (31%). 11 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report b. Right to vote in national elections in the country of origin Maintaining the right to vote in national elections of their country of origin if they were living in another EU country is important to most Europeans Respondents were asked how important it would be to them to retain the right to vote in national elections in their country of origin, if they were living in another EU country6. Almost three quarters of the respondents (74%) said this would be ‘important’, and for 37% it would be ‘very important’. Retaining the right to vote in this situation was ‘not important’ for 22%, with 7% saying it would be ‘not at all important’. 4% of respondents said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) QB2 If you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, how important is it or would it be for you to retain the right to vote in national elections held in your country of origin? Very important; Fairly important; Not very important; Not at all important; Don’t know. 6 12 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In each EU Member State, the majority of respondents said it would be important to maintain the right to vote in the national elections of their country of origin if they were living in another EU country. Proportions range from 89% in Sweden, 85% in Finland and 83% in Portugal to 57% in Croatia, 59% in the Netherlands and 62% in Czechia. Sweden (59%) and Cyprus (54%) are the only countries where an absolute majority said this would be ‘very important’. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 13 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis shows no significant difference in opinion based on age and gender, but does highlight the following: § Respondents who completed their education aged 20+ were the most likely to say that maintaining voting rights in the national elections of their country of origin would be important (80% vs 70%-72%). § Managers (79%) were the most likely to say this would be important to them, particularly compared to the unemployed (67%) and house persons (68%). § The higher a respondent placed themselves on the social scale, the more likely they were to consider this important: 80% who place themselves in the upper class thought this way, compared to 71% who place themselves in the working class. In addition, respondents with a positive image of the EU were the most likely to want to retain the right to vote in their country of origin’s national elections (82%), particularly compared to those with a negative image (64%). Finally, respondents who tend to trust political parties were more likely to say this right would be important, compared to those who tend not to trust them (82% vs 72%). 14 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report c. Preferred way of voting in national elections in the country of origin Electronic or online voting is the preferred method for voting in national elections if living in another EU country If they were living in another EU country, respondents most commonly said they would prefer to vote in the national elections of their country of origin electronically/online (42%)7. More than one quarter (27%) would prefer to vote in the embassy or consulate of their country of origin, while 19% would prefer postal voting. Less than one in ten (7%) spontaneously said they would not vote in their country of origin’s national elections if they were living in another EU country. 5% of respondents said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) QB3 And if you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, which of the following would be your preferred way of voting in the national elections of your country? Voting in the embassy or consulate of your country of origin; Voting electronically or online; Voting by post; Other (SPONTANEOUS); You would not vote (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 7 15 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In 21 Member States, the most common answer was that respondents would prefer to vote in the national elections of their country of origin electronically/online if they were living in another EU country. Proportions preferring this option range from 72% in the Netherlands and 61% in Estonia and Finland to 29% in Hungary and 30% in Italy, Greece and Germany. There are six countries where the most common response was that they would prefer to vote in the embassy or consulate of their country of origin: Greece (51%), Italy (48%), Hungary and Romania (both 43%), Portugal (41%) and Bulgaria (40%). At the other end of the scale 12% in the United Kingdom, 13% in Slovakia and 14% of respondents in Germany and the Netherlands also had this preference. Germany (40%) is the only country where a preference to vote by post in these circumstances was the most common answer. The next highest proportions were observed in Austria (33%) and in Spain (29%). At the other end of the scale, 2% of respondents in Estonia, 4% in Bulgaria and 5% in Cyprus and Greece mentioned this option. There are eight countries where at least one in ten spontaneously said they would not vote: Slovenia (17%), Slovakia (13%), Germany (12%), Portugal and Bulgaria (both 11%), and Croatia, Italy and Cyprus (all 10%). 16 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 17 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis illustrates the following: § Men were more likely to prefer voting electronically or online, compared to women (45% vs 40%). § Respondents aged 55+ were the most likely to prefer voting in the embassy or consulate (31% vs 24%) or by post (27% vs 10%-17%), and the least likely to prefer voting electronically or online (26% vs 48%-55%), compared to other age groups. § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to prefer voting electronically or online, and the less likely they were to prefer other methods. For instance, 55% of those who completed education aged 20+ preferred voting electronically, compared to 17% of those who completed education aged 15 or younger. Those who completed education aged 15 or younger were also the most likely to have spontaneously said they would not vote (14% vs 4%-8%). § Respondents who experience the least financial difficulty were the most likely to prefer electronic or online voting (46% vs 29%-36%), and the least likely to prefer voting in a consulate or embassy (24% vs 34%-36%.), compared to those that experience greater financial difficulty. 18 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report d. EU citizens as candidates in municipal elections Four in ten respondents considered that EU citizens living in another EU country that win municipal elections in the country where they live should have the right to hold any executive position EU citizens living in another EU country have the right to stand as candidates in municipal elections in the country where they live. Respondents were most likely to answer that if these candidates were elected, they should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position (40%)8. Almost one quarter of respondents (23%) thought they should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position except for being mayor. Less than one quarter (22%) thought these candidates should only be allowed to exercise limited duties if elected. One in ten respondents (10%) said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 8 QB4 EU citizens living in another EU country have the right to stand as candidates in municipal elections there. Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Once elected, these candidates: …should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position; …should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position except for being mayor; …should only be allowed to exercise limited duties; Other (SPONTANEOUS); None (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 19 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In 24 countries, respondents most often said that if elected in municipal elections, EU citizens from another country (but living locally) should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position. The Netherlands is the only country where an absolute majority (51%) answered this way, followed by 48% of respondents in Ireland and 47% in Luxembourg and Sweden. At the other end of the scale, 27% in Hungary and 28% in Poland and Bulgaria answered the same way – although it is worth noting that this was still the most mentioned option in Bulgaria. Poland (29%) is the only country where the most common answer was that if elected, these candidates should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position except for being mayor. Respondents in Poland mentioned this more often than those in any other country, followed by those in Romania (28%), Ireland and Belgium (both 27%). The smallest proportions of respondents that answered this way was observed in Estonia, Lithuania and Spain (all 18%). There are four countries where the most common answer was that these candidates should only be allowed to exercise limited duties if elected: Finland and Cyprus (both 36%), and Latvia and Hungary (both 31%). This option was also mentioned by 31% of respondents in Croatia and Austria. At the other end of the scale were respondents in Ireland (15%), Germany and Portugal (both 16%). Respondents in Estonia were equally likely to mention candidates should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position, or that they should only be allowed to exercise limited duties (both 30%). Finally, it is worth noting that in 12 countries more than one in ten said they don’t know, with the highest proportion amongst respondents in Bulgaria (26%). 20 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 21 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report There is no significant difference in opinion between men and women, but the socio-demographic analysis does highlight the following: § Respondents aged 55+ were the least likely to say these candidates should have the same rights as all other elected candidates (35% vs 42%-45%). The older the respondent, the more likely they were to say these candidates should only be allowed to exercise limited duties if elected. § Respondents who completed their education aged 20+ were much more likely than those who finished education at a younger age to answer these candidates should have the same rights as all other elected candidates (46% vs 31%-36%). § Managers (51%) and students (50%) were the most likely to say these candidates should have the same rights as all other elected candidates, particularly compared to the unemployed (30%). § Respondents who place themselves in the middle or upper classes were more likely to say these candidates should have the same rights as all other elected candidates, compared to those who place themselves in the working class (42%-50% vs 33%). The more positive a respondent’s image of the EU, the more likely they were to think these candidates should have the same rights, and the less likely they were to say they should only be allowed to exercise limited duties. For instance, 31% with a negative view think these candidates should have limited duties, compared to 17% of those with a positive view. 22 Democracy and elections September 2018 477 QB4 EU citizens living in another EU country have the right to stand as candidates in municipal elections there. Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Once elected, these candidates... 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Increasing turnout in local elections Opinion is split among respondents about whether the presence of nationals of other EU countries as candidates would increase voter turnout in local elections Four in ten respondents (40%) considered that the presence of candidates who were nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in local elections: 9% answered this would definitely increase turnout9. However, the most common opinion is that this would not influence voter turnout (49%): in fact, 19% said it definitely would not. More than one in ten (11%) said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 9 QB5 Thinking about local elections, do you think that in (OUR COUNTRY) the presence of candidates who are nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in these elections? Yes, definitely; Yes, probably; No, probably not; No, definitely not; Don’t know. 24 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The highest proportion of respondents who thought the presence of candidates who were nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in local elections was observed in Ireland (69%), Luxembourg (60%), Hungary (57%), and Cyprus and Romania (both 55%). At the other end of the scale, 27% in Germany and Czechia and 29% in Slovenia answered the same way. Opinion is split in Belgium, where equal proportions (48%) said that the presence of these candidates would increase turnout and that the presence of these candidate would not increase the turnout. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 25 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Once again, the socio-demographic analysis shows no significant difference in opinion between men and women. It does, however, illustrate the following: § The younger the respondents, the more likely they were to agree the presence of candidates who were nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in local elections: 50% of 15-24 year olds think this way, compared to 35% of those aged 55+. § Those who completed their education aged 16 or older were the most likely to think this would increase turnout. For example, 43% who completed education aged 20+ said this, compared to 29% who completed their education aged 15 or younger. § Respondents living in large towns (48%) were more likely to think this would increase turnout than those living in smaller towns or villages (both 38%). Respondents with a positive image of the EU were the most likely to think this would increase turnout (47%), followed by those with a neutral (41%) or negative view (30%). Finally, those who tend to trust political parties were more likely to think this way than those who do not trust them (49% vs 38%). 26 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report b. Increasing turnout in the European Parliament elections Being better informed about the EU’s impact on daily life is the factor most likely to increase motivation to vote in the European Parliament elections. Respondents were asked which of a range of factors would make them more likely to vote in the next European Parliament elections. They were able to give up to three responses10. More than four in ten (43%) said being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life would make them more inclined to vote in the next European Parliament elections. Just over three in ten (31%) mentioned having more young people stand as candidates, while one in five (20%) said having more women candidates would make them more inclined to vote. More than one in ten said having more candidates from other under-represented groups (12%) would make them more inclined to vote, while fewer than one in ten (8%) mentioned having more candidates who are nationals of other EU countries. More than one in ten (12%) spontaneously said none of these factors would make a difference as they would vote anyway, while 7% spontaneously said they would not vote anyway. Just 2% spontaneously said voting is compulsory in their country, while 6% said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) QB6 The next European Parliament elections will be held in May 2019. Which of the following would make you more inclined to vote in these elections? Being better informed about the EU and its impact on your daily life; Having more women candidates; Having more young people standing as candidates; Having more candidates from other under-represented groups; Having more candidates who are nationals of other EU countries; Other (SPONTANEOUS); None, will vote anyway (SPONTANEOUS); None, will not vote anyway (SPONTANEOUS); None, voting is compulsory in (OUR COUNTRY) (SPONTANEOUS), Don’t know. 10 27 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Amongst the factors that would potentially make respondents more inclined to vote, being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life was the most mentioned in 20 countries, and having more young people standing as candidates was the most mentioned in seven. Respondents in Romania were equally likely to mention being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life and having more young people standing as candidates (both 42%). Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 28 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report There are seven countries where the absolute majority of respondents said that being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life would make them more inclined to vote in the next elections, with the highest proportions recorded in the Netherlands (67%), Sweden (66%) and France (60%). At the other end of the scale 28% in Germany, 30% in Slovenia and 32% in Croatia and Lithuania said this would make them more inclined to vote. Having more young people standing as candidates was most mentioned by respondents in Cyprus (60%), Croatia (54%) and Greece (47%) and least mentioned by those in Denmark (15%), Sweden (19%) and Estonia (23%). Ireland (34%), Croatia and France (both 32%) have the highest proportion of respondents who said having more women candidates would make them more inclined to vote. Latvia and Lithuania (both 8%) are the only countries where fewer than one in ten mentioned this factor. Ireland (20%), Greece (19%) and Croatia, Malta, Austria and Hungary (all 17%) have the highest proportion of respondents who mentioned having more candidates from other underrepresented groups. At the other end of the scale 5% of respondents in Denmark and 8% in Estonia and Italy also mentioned this. Having more candidates who are nationals of other EU countries was most mentioned by respondents in Ireland (18%), Austria and Luxembourg (both 14%), and least mentioned by those in Denmark (2%), Estonia (3%), Sweden and Finland (both 4%). Of the spontaneous answers, it is worth noting that in 11 countries – and particularly in Germany (34%) and Denmark (25%) – at least one in ten respondents said none of these factors would influence them as they would vote anyway. In fact, this was the most mentioned option in Germany. In seven countries at least one in ten respondents said none of these factors would influence them because they would not vote. It is also worth noting that although voting is compulsory in Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, and Luxembourg, fewer than 5% in each of these countries said none of these factors would influence them because voting is compulsory. 29 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 30 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The most notable differences in the socio-demographic analysis are for the three most mentioned factors: being better informed about the EU and its impact on your daily life; having more young people standing as candidates; and having more women candidates: § Women were more likely than men to say having more women candidates would make them more inclined to vote in the next European Parliament elections (26% vs 13%). § The younger the respondent, the more likely they were to say having more young people as candidates would make them more inclined to vote: 40% of 15-24 year olds say this, compared to 27% of those aged 55+. Those under 55 were more likely than older respondents to say being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life would make them more inclined to vote. § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to say being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life would make them more inclined to vote: 50% who completed education aged 20+ said this, compared to 34% of those who finished education aged 15 or younger. In addition, respondents who have a positive or neutral view of the EU were more likely to say being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life or having more young people or women as candidates would make them more inclined to vote, compared to those with a negative view. For instance, 48% with a positive view said being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life would make them more inclined to vote, compared to 35% with a negative view. 31 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report 3 Europeans’ concerns related to voting and elections a. Voting electronically, online or by post The majority of respondents mentioned some concerns with voting electronically, online or by post Respondents were asked to imagine they could vote electronically, online or by post, and then said how concerned they were by four issues relating to these voting methods11. The potential for fraud or cyberattack (68%) was the most mentioned concern, with one third (33%) saying they were ‘very concerned’. Almost two thirds (65%) were concerned about the difficulties of use for some people, such as people with disabilities or older people, with 29% ‘very concerned’ about this. More than half (56%) were concerned about voters being influenced by third parties and 23% were ‘very concerned’ about this. More than half (55%) were also concerned about the secrecy of the ballot: 24% were ‘very concerned’. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 11 QB7 Imagine now that you were able to vote electronically, online or by post. How concerned or not would you be about each of the following? 7.1 Difficulties of use for some people, such as people with disabilities or older people; 7.2 The potential for fraud or cyberattack; 7.3 The secrecy of the ballot; 7.4 Voters being influenced by third parties. Very concerned; Somewhat concerned; Not very concerned; Not at all concerned; Don’t know. 32 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In all but one country, the majority of respondents were concerned about the potential for fraud or cyberattack if they were able to vote electronically, online or by post, with those in Spain (77%), the United Kingdom and Ireland (both 75%) being the most likely to be concerned. The only exception is Estonia, where opinion is split (46% concerned, 46% not concerned). Apart from Estonia, the lowest proportions can be found in Slovakia (48%) and Slovenia (50%). Base: all respondents (n=27,474) Across the EU, the highest proportions of respondents concerned about difficulties of use for some people are observed in Spain (81%), Ireland (76%) and France (75%). Germany, Slovenia (both 47%), Estonia and Slovakia (both 48%) are the only countries where fewer than half were concerned about this, although in Estonia and Slovakia these proportions still represent the majority view. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 33 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In 20 countries, the majority of respondents were concerned about voters being influenced by third parties, with those in Spain (71%), Hungary (65%), Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria (all 63%) having the highest proportions. At the other end of the scale 42% in Slovenia 44% in Estonia and 45% in Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden were also concerned about this, while opinion is split in Luxembourg (46% concerned; 46% not concerned). Base: all respondents (n=27,474) Concern about the secrecy of the ballot was most widespread amongst respondents in Greece, Ireland (both 66%) and Romania (65%), and least widespread in Sweden (29%), Estonia (37%) and the Netherlands (38%). Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 34 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The level of concern about each of these issues is similar between men and women, and across all age groups. However, the socio-demographic analysis does illustrate the following differences: § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to be concerned about the potential for fraud or cyberattack: 70% who completed education aged 20+ were concerned about this, compared to 62% of those who completed education aged 15 or younger. There were no significant differences for the other three issues. § Respondents who have a negative image of the EU (60%) were more likely to be concerned about the secrecy of the ballot, compared to 51% with a positive image. § In addition, those who tend not to trust political parties were more likely to be concerned about each issue than those who tend to trust them. For example, 58% who tend not to trust were concerned about voters being influenced by third parties, compared to 53% who tend to trust political parties. 35 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report b. Potential concerns about elections in Europe The majority of respondents were concerned about a range of potential electoral interferences Respondents were asked how concerned they were about a number of things that could affect elections in Europe12. More than six in ten (61%) were concerned about elections being manipulated through cyberattacks, with 24% saying they were ‘very concerned’ about this. Almost as many (59%) were concerned about foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly, with 22% ‘very concerned’ by this. More than half (56%) of all respondents were concerned about the final result of an election being manipulated, with 21% saying they were ‘very concerned’. Almost as many (55%) were concerned about votes being bought or sold: 22% were very concerned about this possibility. Just over half (52%) were concerned about people being coerced to vote in a particular way, and almost one in five (19%) were ‘very concerned’ about this. More than four in ten (45%) said they were concerned about people voting who are not entitled to vote, with 16% ‘very concerned’ about this possibility. Finally, 44% were concerned about some people voting twice: 17% said they were ‘very concerned’ by this. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 12 QB10 In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? 10.1 People voting although they are not entitled to vote; 10.2 The final result of an election being manipulated; 10.3 Votes being bought or sold; 10.4 Elections being manipulated through cyberattacks; 10.5 People being coerced into voting in a particular way; 10.6 Foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly; 10.7 Some people voting twice. 36 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In 23 countries, the majority of all respondents were concerned about elections being manipulated through cyberattacks, with those in Spain (74%), the United Kingdom (67%) and Romania (66%) the most likely to be concerned about this. At the other end of the scale 42% in Estonia, 45% in Slovakia and 46% in Cyprus and Slovenia were concerned about cyberattacks. Opinion is split in Portugal (47% concerned; 47% not concerned) and Cyprus (46% concerned; 46% not concerned). Base: all respondents (n=27,474) Concern about the possibility of foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly was most widely mentioned by respondents in Latvia (69%), Spain (67%) and Italy (66%), particularly compared to those in Estonia (35%), Malta (43%) and Portugal (44%). Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 37 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Latvia (75%), Spain (74%), Lithuania and Bulgaria (both 72%) have the highest proportions of respondents concerned about the final result of an election being manipulated. At the other end of the scale, 36% in Germany, 37% in the Netherlands and 38% in Sweden, Finland and Estonia were also concerned about this. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) The majority of respondents were concerned about votes being bought or sold, but there is a wide range of opinion across countries. Bulgaria (81%), Latvia (80%) and Lithuania (76%) have the highest proportions of concerned respondents, while Finland (34%), Germany (35%) and the Netherlands and Slovenia (both 40%) have the lowest. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 38 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Bulgaria (72%), Spain (71%) and Romania (66%) have the highest proportion of respondents who were concerned about people being coerced to vote in a particular way, while Germany (31%), Finland and Estonia (both 36%) have the lowest. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) The proportion of respondents who were concerned about people voting when not entitled to varies widely, from 66% in Romania, 63% in Croatia and 61% in Spain to 13% in Sweden, 20% in the Netherlands and 23% in Finland. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 39 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Spain (64%), Romania (62%) and Croatia (59%) have the highest proportions of respondents concerned about some people voting twice, while Sweden (11%), Finland (20%) and the Netherlands (22%) have the lowest proportions. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) Looking at the overall results, respondents in Spain, Romania, Latvia, Bulgaria and Croatia generally have more widespread of concern about the possibility of each event, while in Finland and Estonia consistently the proportion of respondents concerned about each event were low. 40 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Women were slightly more likely than men to be concerned about the final result of an election being manipulated (58% vs 53%), but the socio-demographic analysis shows no other significant differences based on gender. There were also no notable differences in opinion based on age. However, the results do illustrate the following: § Respondents who completed their education at a younger age were more likely to be concerned about people voting when they are not entitled to, people voting twice, votes being bought or sold or final election results being manipulated, compared to those who stayed in education longer. For instance, 49% of those who completed education age 19 or younger were concerned about people voting when they were not entitled to, compared to 40% who completed education aged 20+. However, the reverse is true in the case of concern about manipulation through cyberattack: those who completed education aged 16+ were the most likely to be concerned about this. § Those who place themselves in the middle class or lower were the most likely to be concerned about the final election result being manipulated or about some people voting twice, compared to those who place themselves higher. For instance, 49% of respondents who place themselves in the working class, and 44% who place themselves in the lower middle or middle class were concerned about some people voting twice, compared to 33% in the upper middle class and 29% in the upper class. § Respondents on the right of the political spectrum were the most likely to be concerned about the final result of an election being manipulated, votes being bought or sold, people being coerced into voting in a particular way, people voting although they are not entitled to vote, or some people voting twice, compared to those in the centre or to the right. For example, 50% of those on the right were concerned about people voting although they were not entitled to, compared to 45% in the centre and 39% on the left. The analysis also illustrates that those with a negative view of the EU were the most likely to be concerned about each of these possibilities, compared to those with a neutral or positive view. For instance, 59% with a negative view were concerned about people being coerced to vote in a certain way, compared to 49% of those with a positive view of the EU. The same pattern applies for those who tend not to trust political parties – they were more likely to be concerned about each possibility than those who tend to trust them. 41 Democracy and elections 477 September 2018 QB10 In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? Total 'Concerned' (% - EU) _C m C 6 "0 ‘6 01 09m 23% 201-0 E Ém> mcg 90x “35% O_Sq) m cnc“ cgo o UÏÉ 305: zw; 3-0 0'—3 cm> >q, .0“: 06.136 3.0- O— “gh g>0 G.3 Ético U_ > aca '03 mui-D o“ EE tv L ¡o (o 01 o __ m C 3 ¿J _C ‘0 283 CEES :zc C 62.2 o.“2 8 53% 928 832 '5 90% 8%; Q _Q_“ arca) ¡:6- -Q EEQ 0.3C ‘v L“ E '6 U _3 a) 3 o" o a) E E -— l- g o. Tu m EU28 61 59 56 55 52 45 44 ".1. Gender Man 60 58 53 54 51 45 43 Woman 62 59 58 56 54 45 45 {v} Education I’End of) 15- 57 56 56 55 52 49 48 16-19 63 59 58 57 53 49 46 20+ 61 59 52 51 51 40 39 Still studying 63 59 56 56 54 38 38 The working class 61 57 60 57 54 48 49 The lower middle class 62 6‘] 57 57 54 46 44 The middle class 63 60 56 55 53 45 44 The upper middle class 58 57 46 44 47 34 33 The upper class 61 62 47 47 55 29 29 Left 62 60 53 53 53 39 39 Centre 64 61 56 54 51 45 44 Right 62 61 60 59 56 50 47 Positive 59 57 49 49 49 39 37 Neutral 62 59 58 55 54 46 45 Negative 64 66 63 63 59 53 53 Trust in political parties Tend to trust 57 55 46 47 47 38 37 Tend not to trust 63 61 61 59 56 49 48 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report 4 Fair elections and fraudulent activities The majority of respondents considered that their country is doing enough to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections More than half of the respondents (58%) agreed their country is doing what is needed to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections, whether at the local, national or European level. Almost one in five (19%) definitely agreed13 and 39% agreed to some extent. Almost one third (31%) answered their country is not doing enough, with 10% saying their country isn’t doing enough at all. Almost one in ten (9%) said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) QB9 Overall, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY) is doing what is needed to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections, whether at the local, national or European level? Yes, definitely; Yes, to some extent; No, not really; No, not at all; It depends/ It depends on the election (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 13 43 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In 24 Member States, the majority of respondents agreed their country is doing what is needed to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections, with the highest proportions observed in Finland (88%), Sweden (87%) and the Netherlands (86%). At the other end of the scale, 31% in Bulgaria, 39% in Italy and 40% in Spain said the same. Denmark (62%) and Sweden (52%) are the only countries where the majority answered that their country is ‘definitely’ doing enough. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 44 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis shows no significant difference in opinion based on age, but does highlights the following: § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to think their country is doing what is needed: 67% who completed education aged 20+ think this way, compared to 47% who completed education prior to age 16. § Managers were the most likely to think their country is doing what is needed (73%), particularly compared to house persons and the unemployed (both 45%). § Respondents who place themselves in the upper middle class were the most likely to agree (74%), particularly compared to those in the working class (50%). In addition, respondents who have a positive image of the EU were most likely to agree (72%), compared to 57% who were neutral and 46% with a negative view. Finally, respondents who tend to trust political parties were much more likely to think their country is doing what is needed, compared to those who tend not to trust (79% vs 50%). 45 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report II. ELECTIONS, THE INTERNET AND ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS This second section begins with a review of the level of participation in political debates in online social networks during election periods, as well as the reasons respondents do not participate in such discussions. It continues with a discussion of concerns about the use of the Internet and online social networks during election periods, including disinformation and misinformation and censorship. The section concludes with opinions about whether online social networks, Internet platforms and those that use them should be bound by the same rules as traditional media during pre-election periods. Questions in this section were only asked to respondents who said they use the Internet. 1 Participation in political debates on online social networks Less than one third of Internet-using respondents follow or participate in online discussions of political topics during election periods Among respondents that are internet users, almost one third (32%) said they follow or participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks during election periods14. Just 7% said they are active by following and contributing, while 25% said they follow in a passive way by reading or listening. The majority (59%) don’t follow or participate in these types of online debates, while 8% spontaneously said they were not active on online social networks or they don’t use social networks. 1% said they don’t know. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 14 QB11 During election periods, do you follow or participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks (e.g. responding to posts or sharing content)? Yes, you follow this type of online debates and contribute to these debates; Yes, you follow this type of online debates but in a passive way by reading or listening to it; No, you do not follow or participate in this type of online debates; You are not active on online social networks/ You don’t use online social networks (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 46 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report At least one in ten Internet users in Austria (14%), Sweden (13%), Ireland (12%), Malta, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom (all 11%) said they follow and contribute to discussions of political topics on online social networks during election periods. This compares to just 4% in Slovakia and the Netherlands. At least four in ten Internet users in the Netherlands, Finland (both 44%), Latvia (41%), Estonia and Sweden (both 40%) said they follow these types of debates in a passive way be reading or listening. At the other end of the scale 10% in Cyprus, 13% in Portugal and 15% in France said they do this. In Finland Internet-using respondents were equally likely to say they follow these debates in a passive way, or that they do not follow or participate (both 44%). In 27 countries, the most common answer from respondents who use the Internet is that they do not follow or participate in these kinds of online debates. In fact, in 22 Member States at least half of this group of respondents gave this response, in particular more than seven in ten in Cyprus (75%), France (74%) and Portugal (73%) said they do not follow or participate. At the other end of the scale 43% in Germany, 44% in Finland and 45% in Sweden and Estonia said the same. Taking a broader view, Sweden, Finland (both 53%) and the Netherlands (48%) have the highest proportion of respondents who said they actively or passively follow these debates, while Portugal, Cyprus (both 18%) and France (20%) have the lowest proportions. 47 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 48 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis reveals a number of differences in the proportion who follow/ follow and participate to this type on online debate (total ‘Yes’): § Men were more likely to say they follow or participate, compared to women (36% vs 28%). § The younger the respondent, the more likely they were to follow or participate: 38% of those aged 18-24 did so, compared to 27% of those aged 55+. § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to follow or participate: 38% who completed education aged 20+ did so, compared to 16% who completed education younger than age 16. § Students and managers (both 42%) were the most likely to follow or participate, particularly compared to house persons (21%). § Respondents who place themselves in the upper middle class were the most likely to follow or participate (46%), particularly compared to those in the working class (24%). § Respondents who place themselves on the left (39%) or right (38%) of the political scale were more likely to follow or participate than those who place themselves in the centre (31%). In addition, respondents with a positive image of the EU (40%) were more likely to follow or participate than those with a neutral (29%) or negative (30%) image. Finally, respondents who tend to trust political parties were more likely to follow or participate in this type on online debate than those who tend not to trust (41% vs 29%). 49 Democracy and elections September 2018 QB11 During election periods, do you follow or participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks (e.g. responding to posts or sharing content)? (% of Internet users - EU) a) a) o 0’ u. “ H- > H “_ (U m o 3 OG 01 5 o E 3 m 8.2 tn g 8 C g CU E 'a “E A L '— C a; 2 a a g o Q 8 ° o o S 3 - v, o to m to H : 3‘76 C -g É o u, ._U_Q ._C_¿) om_Q 030 0 q) _c a) .C ._ — 3: “- -- q, a; C LU C >- H "g T, u H L .6 5 Ü > Q _ Z x -_ 3 to G.) 3 B o C C q) '43 \ (U < f" 2 o m o 0‘ '- c É W 'Ü ’- C o : 8 a) : m C o q) ._ x o z O ¡_ ug :3 5 .9 3 ‘6 U g E ‘ó‘ 6 m o D EU 3 3 -Q 9 3 .0 8 o .9- 0 C É qc) % O CU O q.) L >_v <1) a): V >\-o >‘_O >‘ sE É C C vï c" uï a) .Q 0 cc 3 _ O cv .S cv C > Z Q. o tu >- E >' Z f0 >. 'Ü o C 3 o O v1 EU28 7 25 59 8 1 32 Í]. Gender Man k0 F _l Ñ LM G 27 56 Woman 5 23 61 9 2 28 15-24 9 29 55 5 2 38 25-39 8 27 59 5 1 35 40-54 8 23 59 9 1 31 55 + 5 22 60 12 1 27 15- 4 12 70 12 2 16 16-19 6 22 61 10 1 28 20+ 9 29 55 6 1 38 Still studying 8 34 54 2 2 42 Socio-professional category Self-employed 10 26 57 6 1 36 Managers 10 32 51 6 1 42 Other white collars 7 29 57 6 1 36 Manual workers 6 22 62 9 1 28 House persons 4 17 64 14 1 21 Unemployed 9 17 65 8 1 26 Retired 5 20 61 12 2 25 Students 8 34 54 2 2 42 Consider belonging to The working class 7 17 65 10 1 24 The lower middle class 7 26 57 9 1 33 The middle class 7 27 58 7 1 34 The upper middle class 10 36 46 7 1 46 The upper class 6 32 56 5 1 38 Left 8 31 53 7 1 39 Centre 6 25 60 8 1 31 Right 10 28 55 6 1 38 Positive 9 31 52 7 1 40 Neutral 5 24 62 8 1 29 Negative 9 21 61 8 1 30 Trust in political parties Tend to trust 9 32 50 8 1 41 Tend not to trust 7 22 62 8 1 29 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The main reason mentioned by respondents for not actively participating in political discussions on social networks was that they do not consider it useful Internet-using respondents who do not actively participate in discussions of political topics on online social networks during election periods were asked what stopped them from doing so15. Just over one third (34%) answered it is not useful for them. More than one quarter (28%) don’t trust social networks, while 26% said it has no impact and is a waste of time. Just over one in five (21%) said they were not comfortable expressing their political beliefs online. More than one in ten do not participate because the language and tone used in these online debates are often violent or hateful (18%), or because they considered that these online debates are dominated by certain groups of the population (16%) or are poorly moderated or not moderated enough (12%). Just 6% do not participate because their comments would be censored by the social network. Only 6% spontaneously mention other reasons and 3% said they don’t know. Base: Internet users who do not actively participate in online debates (n=20,742) 15 QB12 What prevents you from actively participating in these types of online debates? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) You think it's not useful for you; You don't feel comfortable expressing your political beliefs online; You think it has no impact, it's a waste of time; The language and tone used in these online debates are often violent or hateful; You think your comments would be censored by the online social network; You think that these online debates are poorly moderated or not moderated enough; You think that these online debates are dominated by certain groups of the population; You don't trust online social networks; Other (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 51 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Not actively participating in online political debates because they think it isn’t useful for them was the most common answer from respondents in 12 countries. France is the only country where respondents were most likely to said they don’t trust online social networks (41%), although this was mentioned equally with not being useful by those in Spain (both 35%) and Ireland (both 32%). In ten countries the most mentioned answer was that they think this has no impact, that it is a waste of time, while respondents in Slovenia were equally likely to mention this and that active participation is not useful for them (both 40%). In Italy the most common answer was that they don’t feel comfortable expressing their political beliefs online (33%), while in Sweden (41%) and Denmark (37%) the most mentioned answer was that the language and tone used in these online debates is often violent or hateful. Base: Internet users who do not actively participate in online debates (n=20,742) 52 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report ‘You think it's not useful for you’ is one of the three most mentioned reasons in all but one country (Hungary). It was mentioned by more than half in Portugal (55%) and Finland (53%), as well as by 45% in Malta. In contrast, 18% in Hungary, 21% in Estonia and 24% in Austria also gave this reason. In 22 countries, not trusting online social networks is one of the three most mentioned reasons for not actively participating in these kinds of online debates. It was most often given as a reason by those in France (41%), Cyprus, Greece and Spain (all 35%), and least often mentioned by respondents in the Netherlands (15%), Finland (16%), Bulgaria and Lithuania (both 18%). Lithuania (46%), Hungary (42%), Croatia and Latvia (both 41%) have the highest proportion of respondents who said they think active participation has no impact, it's a waste of time, while Spain (18%), Romania and Germany (both 21%) have the lowest proportions. This reason is one of the three most mentioned in 26 Member States. Not feeling comfortable expressing political beliefs online is one of the three most mentioned reasons in 11 countries. It was most commonly mentioned by respondents in Italy (33%), Greece (32%) and Sweden (29%), and least mentioned by those in Slovenia (4%) and Lithuania (6%). At least three in ten respondents in Sweden (41%), Denmark (37%) and Austria (31%) do not actively participate because the language and tone used in these online debates were often violent or hateful. In contrast, 8% in Spain and Lithuania said the same. This is one of the three most mentioned options in seven countries. The Netherlands (25%) is the only country where thinking that these online debates were dominated by certain groups of the population was one of the three most mentioned reasons. This reason was most mentioned by those in Greece (28%), the Netherlands and Denmark (23%) and least mentioned by those in Belgium and Sweden (both 11%). Austria (21%), Greece (18%), Ireland and Belgium (both 15%) have the highest proportion of respondents who thought these online debates were poorly moderated or not moderated enough, particularly compared to Estonia (3%), Bulgaria and Czechia (both 5%). Finally, it is respondents in Austria (17%), Hungary (14%), Romania and Poland (both 11%) who most commonly said their comments would be censored by the online social network, compared to 2% in the Netherlands and Denmark. 53 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: Internet users who do not actively participate in online debates (n=20,742) 54 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis does not highlight any significant differences in opinion between men and women who do not actively participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks during election periods. It does, however, reveal the following differences: § The younger the respondent, the more likely they were to say they do not think participation is useful for them, and the less likely they were to say they don’t trust social networks. For example, 37% of those aged 18-24 don’t think participation is useful for them, compared to 31% of those aged 55+. § The earlier a respondent completed their education, the more likely they were to say they do not think participation is useful for them, or that they don’t trust social networks. However, it is respondents who completed education aged 20+ who were the most likely to say they don’t participate because the language and tone used in these online debates are often violent or hateful (23% vs 11% who completed education before age 16). In addition, respondents who tend not to trust political parties were more likely to say they do not think participation is useful for them (35% vs 28% who tend to trust), or that they don’t trust social networks (30% vs 23%). However, they were less likely to say the language and tone used in these online debates are often violent or hateful (16% vs 23%). 55 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report 2 The use of the Internet and online social networks during preelection periods a. Main concerns The majority of Internet-using respondents said that they are concerned about misinformation, disinformation, targeting and censorship online during the pre-election period Respondents who use the Internet were asked to think about the pre-election period during local, national or European elections, and the use of the Internet and social networks during this time16. Almost three quarters (73%) answered they are concerned about disinformation or misinformation online, with 30% ‘very concerned’ about this. More than two thirds (67%) said to be concerned that the personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties: 26% were ‘very concerned’ about this. More than half (55%) answered they are concerned about restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks, with 19% ‘very concerned’. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) QB13 Turning now to the pre-election period, whether at the local, national or European level. How concerned or not are you about the following issues related to the use of the Internet and of online social networks? 13.1 The personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties; 13.2 Disinformation and misinformation on the Internet; 13.3 Restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks. Very concerned; Somewhat concerned; Not very concerned; Not at all concerned; Don’t know. 16 56 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Amongst respondents who use the Internet, the majority in each country were concerned about disinformation or misinformation online, with proportions ranging from 84% in Greece and Spain and 81% in Ireland to 56% in Estonia, 57% in Portugal and 60% in Bulgaria. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) In this group of respondents, at least three quarters in Ireland (79%), Spain (78%), Greece (76%) and Hungary (75%) were concerned the personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties. Estonia is the only country where fewer than half were concerned (48%), followed by Finland (54%) and Portugal (56%). However, it is worth noting that even in Estonia Internet-using respondents were more likely to be concerned than not concerned (39%). Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 57 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Ireland (70%), Spain (69%), Hungary and Romania (both 68%) have the highest proportions of internet-using respondents who were concerned about restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks. Estonia (34%), the Netherlands and Denmark (both 42%) have the lowest proportions. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 58 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis shows men and women were equally likely to be concerned about each of these issues. There are also no notable differences based on age or on education level. In fact, levels of concern are similar across a range of socio-demographic groups. The most notable difference is based on respondents’ level of participation in political discussions on social networks: § Respondents who participate – either actively or passively – in these discussions were more likely to be concerned about disinformation and misinformation on the Internet, or that the personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties, compared to those who do not participate. For instance, 80% who actively participate and 79% who passively participate were concerned about disinformation or misinformation, compared to 72% who do not participate, and 64% who do not use social networks. § Respondents who actively participate in these discussions were much more likely to be concerned about restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks than those who were passive or do not participate: 72% were concerned, compared to 58% of passive participants, 54% who do not participate and 48% of those who do not use social networks. The only other noteworthy difference is that respondents who tend not to trust political parties were more likely to be concerned about restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks (58% vs 50% who tend to trust political parties). 59 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report b. Rules and principles to apply to online social networks and Internet platforms The majority of Internet-using respondents considered that online media should have to adhere to the same pre-election rules as traditional media In a pre-election period, traditional media usually have to observe a number of rules, such as observing silence periods just before the elections, ensuring equal campaigning time for the different candidates or strict rules on funding for the campaign. More than three quarters of Internet users (76%) said these rules should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them17. In fact, 43% ‘definitely’ agreed. Fewer than one in five (18%) disagreed, with just 6% saying these rules should not apply at all. 6% of Internet users said they don’t know. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 17 QB14 In a pre-election period, traditional media usually have to observe a number of rules, such as observing silence periods just before the elections, ensuring equal campaigning time for the different candidates or strict rules on funding for the campaign. Do you think that these rules should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them? Yes, definitely; Yes, to some extent; No, not really; No, not at all; Don’t know. 60 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report There is strong support across Member States for online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them having to observe the same rules as traditional media in the preelection period, with more than six in ten respondents in each country in agreement. Proportions range from 85% in Slovenia and 84% in Ireland and Hungary to 63% in Sweden, 70% in Czechia and 71% in Austria. In Slovenia (57%), Cyprus (55%), Ireland (52%) and Germany (50%) at least half answered that the same rules should ‘definitely’ apply. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 61 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis shows no significant difference in opinion between men and women, but does reveal the following: § Those aged 55+ were the most likely to think the same rules should apply (80% compared to 72% of the youngest respondents). In fact, 50% of the oldest respondents thought they should ‘definitely’ apply, compared to 34% of 15-24 year olds. § Respondents who completed their education aged 16 or older were the most likely to agree: 79% who competed education aged 20+ did so, compared to 69% of those who completed aged 15 or younger. In addition, respondents who have a positive image (81%) of the EU were more likely to agree than those with a neutral (76%) or a negative image (71%). Finally, those who participate passively in political discussions online were the most likely to think the same rules should apply (80%), followed by active participants and those who do not participate (both 75%). 62 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Respondents who use the Internet were then asked their views about applying range of principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and the actors using them during election periods18. A large majority of Internet-using respondents were in favour of the same principles applied for traditional media being also applied online during election periods Just over eight in ten (81%) were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms to making clear what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them, with 46% ‘strongly in favour’. Just over one in ten (11%) were opposed to this. The same proportion (81%) were also in favour of equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention, with 44% ‘strongly in favour’. Just over one in ten (12%) were opposed. Eight in ten (80%) were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups, with 45% saying they were ‘strongly in favour’. Just over one in ten (12%) were opposed. Almost eight in ten (79%) were in favour of candidates or political parties having the right of reply on online social networks, with 39% ‘strongly in favour’. More than one in ten (13%) were opposed to this idea. Just over three quarters (76%) were in favour of the publication of campaign-related opinion polls only if accompanied by sufficient technical information, with 36% ‘strongly in favour’. More than one in ten (15%) were opposed to this. More than seven in ten (74%) were in favour of the introduction of the same strict silence period ("days of reflection") on online social networks that is required for other media, with 40% ‘strongly in favour’. Almost one in five (17%) were opposed. 18 QB15 In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? 15.1 Transparency of online social networks and other Internet platforms about the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups; 15.2 Transparency of online social networks and other Internet platforms to make clear what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them; 15.3 Equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention (e.g. that online platforms do not discriminate against particular parties or offer special rates to other ones); 15.4 The right of reply for candidates or political parties on online social networks; 15.5 Publication of campaign-related opinion polls only if accompanied by sufficient technical information; 15.6 Introduction on online social networks of the same strict silence period ("days of reflection") that is required for the other media. Strongly in favour; Somewhat in favour; Somewhat opposed; Strongly opposed; Don’t know. 63 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 64 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In each country, at least seven in ten respondents who use the Internet were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them. Proportions range from 92% in Greece, 89% in Sweden and 88% in Croatia to 70% in Lithuania, 72% in Slovenia and 73% in Romania and France. In eight countries more than half were strongly in favour of this – most notably those in Sweden (71%), the Netherlands and Denmark (both 59%). Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 65 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report A large majority in each country were in favour of equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention. Respondents in Greece (93%), the Netherlands (90%) and Denmark (86%) were the most likely to be in favour, compared to 73% in Romania, Luxembourg and France. In eight countries more than half were strongly in favour, and this is particularly the case in the Netherlands (62%), Denmark and Sweden (both 60%). Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 66 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report More than two thirds of respondents who use the Internet in each country were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms being transparent about the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups. Proportions range from 91% in Greece and 87% in Ireland and Croatia to 67% in Lithuania, 70% in Slovenia and 71% in Estonia. In eight countries, at least half were strongly in favour – most notably those in Sweden (63%), Germany and the Netherlands (both 56%). Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 67 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report More than seven in ten of this group of respondents in each country were in favour of the right of reply for candidates or political parties on online social networks, with proportions ranging from 88% in Sweden and 87% in Denmark and Greece to 73% in Slovenia, Cyprus and France. In Denmark (66%), Sweden (62%), Croatia and Bulgaria (both 50%) at least half were strongly in favour of this idea. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) More than two thirds of respondents in each country who use the Internet were in favour of the publication of campaign-related opinion polls only if accompanied by sufficient technical information. Respondents in Greece (88%), Croatia (86%) and Ireland (85%) were the most likely to be in favour, compared to 68% in Estonia, 69% in Luxembourg and 70% in Romania and Austria. In Sweden (52%) and Denmark (50%) at least half said they were strongly in favour of this measure. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 68 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The majority of respondents who use the Internet in each country were in favour of introducing on online social networks the same strict silence period that is required for other media. Proportions range from 87% in Croatia, 83% in Ireland and 80% in Greece and Hungary to 58% in Sweden, 64% in Finland and 67% in Austria. In Croatia (54%) and Denmark (52%) at least half were strongly in favour of this measure. Base: Internet users (n=22,629) 69 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis reveals no significant differences in opinion based on age, but does highlight the following: § The older the respondent, the more likely they were to be in favour of the introduction on online social networks of the same strict silence period ("days of reflection") that is required for the other media: 77% of those aged 40+ were in favour, compared to 69% of 1524 year olds. § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to be in favour of each of these measures. For instance, 83% of those who completed their education aged 20+ were in favour of equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention, compared to 74% of those who completed their education aged 15 or younger. § Managers were the most likely to be in favour of each measure, compared to other occupation groups. For instance, 89% were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear what content and publications were online advertisements and who is paying for them, compared to 73% of the unemployed and 74% of house persons. § Respondents who placed themselves in the middle and upper class were the most likely to be in favour of each measure, compared to those who placed themselves lower on the social scale. The socio-demographic analysis also shows that respondents with a positive view of the EU were more likely to be in favour of each measure, compared to those with a neutral or negative view. For instance, 87% of those with a positive view were in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups, compared to 76% with a negative view. Respondents who tend to trust political parties were more likely to be in favour of online social networks and other Internet platforms to make clear what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them (86% vs 80% who tend not to trust); equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention (85% vs 79%); or online social networks and other Internet platforms making clear the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups (85% vs 79%). Finally, respondents who participate (either actively or passively) in political discussions on online social networks were more likely to be in favour of each measure – with the exception of the introduction of days of reflection. For instance, 90% of active participants and 88% of passive participants were in favour of equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention, compared to 80% who do not participate, and 69% of those who do not use social networks. 70 Democracy and elections 477 September 2018 QB15 In more details. are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? Total 'ln favour (% of Internet users - EU) H L E L m C C m u C ¿.a u- L Éégé’ 32528 zaggég gm gs 33,5 {efg 22233 {Eatgo 3%: 5:9 ¿55° _ 1:. m _ L u. ¿+233 ¿Haas ¿creés? a; gsg 2:35 wWLE wEÉD-O vgïmï’m m” wm“: U‘OL cx‘vx 280;“0 C“6-o>'- <1)C 35““ 50.9 —‘°V“° AÏUCÉ“ —30_c°m EF: - E «5': .9 tv E C Q. B 0 o -— m m 0 m L g- —0 ._ e “0 a. -G ¿v 8 —0 30.3.9 0.33%.3 'ggemgs '68 ¿.92 cata) tn H ‘V o = a) L m g V1 v1 e Q- 0) U C m 01 g w a) 3 E Mx: «vxuw- ocean; w 60.- «vgcr cgi; BEÓRÉL" chgïn’c Zé 0.58 Emi) ïeav w-gquü Efieampg gc ESE 572.9 0‘56 C waEQ- Oïvgvïiw ¡o 83.: o“... u———0m '- C'—w u—_q')-—_C‘¿: —C (Vu OQEB 82.96; 03rmus eo “En-3 0.2.5.. 575“: ÏCE'Ï": imágïa 83 C; C“? CCE” 0°2T’0 cigacï, “6'; OE 8‘”: cube-E ¿laa-'36 wg>u:_g “a ‘50 UEQ 8388 8-8_‘°Cm ECG-0,6}: _CQ_ 8m .33: 8:05 —Uï‘°2 %:g%0__o .3“ 5:0 002 Cu) <1) Smwvu C”; Q-Q- 30. b-C‘ï) cc _c .3 o- ‘ó' E tu -S - 3 É EL c "' L l: ‘6 cv LU > 0- +: ° "6 m r- _ EU28 81 81 80 79 76 74 15-24 80 81 77 78 75 69 25-39 82 81 80 81 78 72 40-54 83 81 81 79 76 77 55 + 81 80 80 80 76 77 {v} Education (End of) 15- 73 74 73 71 68 69 16-19 79 81 79 79 75 75 20+ 85 83 83 82 79 76 Still studying 84 85 82 80 78 71 Socio-professional category Self-employed 84 81 82 81 79 74 Managers 89 87 87 86 83 79 Other white collars 86 84 84 83 79 78 Manual workers 78 79 77 78 73 72 House persons 74 74 72 73 72 69 Unemployed 73 75 72 73 71 67 Retired 78 79 78 77 74 76 Students 84 85 82 80 78 71 KE Consider belongíng to The working class 77 77 75 76 73 71 The lower middle class 81 81 80 79 77 75 The middle class 83 82 82 82 79 76 The upper middle class 88 86 87 83 78 74 The upper class 89 81 83 81 83 71 Image of the EU Positive 88 86 87 86 83 80 Neutral 79 79 77 78 74 73 Negative 78 77 76 78 72 70 Trust in political parties Tend to trust 86 85 85 83 79 77 Tend not to trust 80 79 79 79 76 74 Participation to discussions on online social networks Active participation 91 90 90 88 86 74 Passive participation 87 88 85 86 80 77 Do not participate 80 80 78 78 76 75 Not active on social network 68 65 68 67 63 65 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report III. DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND PRINCIPLES IN EUROPE This final section explores opinions about democratic values and principles. Satisfaction with a number of aspects of democracy in the EU, including freedom of speech and media diversity were considered. This discussion is followed by a review of opinion about the role of civil society in protecting democracy. 1 Satisfaction with democratic principles in the EU Respondents who agreed to be asked about their political views were asked about their satisfaction with various aspects of democracy in the EU19 20. Most respondents answered that they are satisfied with free and fair elections and freedom of speech in the EU Seven in ten (70%) were satisfied with free and fair elections, with 19% ‘very satisfied’. Almost as many (69%) were satisfied with freedom of speech, with 20% ‘very satisfied’ with this aspect. This is the only aspect where at least one in five were ‘very satisfied’. More than six in ten (65%) were also satisfied with respect for fundamental rights or the possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life (63%). In each of these three areas more than one in ten said they were ‘very satisfied’. More than half were satisfied with media diversity (58%), the opportunity for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy (57%) and the rule of law (57%). In each case at least one in ten said they were ‘very satisfied’. Only a minority were satisfied with political parties taking into account the interests of people like them (44%), with the fight against disinformation in the media (40%), or the fight against corruption (36%). For each of these aspects fewer than one in ten said they were ‘very satisfied’. 19 QB8 How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? 8.1 Free and fair elections; 8.2 Freedom of speech; 8.3 Media diversity; 8.4 Possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life (e.g. as candidates in elections, members of political parties); 8.5 Rule of law (e.g. the respect for independence of the judiciary, the integrity and impartiality of the electoral system); 8.6 Respect for fundamental rights; 8.7 The opportunities for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy; 8.8 Political parties taking into account the interests of people like you; 8.9 Fight against disinformation in the media (e.g. false, exaggerated or misrepresented news stories); 8.10 Fight against corruption. Very satisfied; Fairly satisfied; Not very satisfied; Not at all satisfied; Refusal (SPONTANEOUS); Don’t know. 20 In line with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), at the beginning of the interview respondents were asked for their consent to be asked questions about their political views, hence the smaller base size for this question. 72 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 73 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In all but one Member State, the majority of respondents answered that they are satisfied with free and fair elections in the European Union, although proportions vary from 83% in Ireland, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands to 49% in Croatia (where 48% were not satisfied). The exception is Bulgaria (satisfied: 38%; not satisfied: 52%). Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 74 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The majority of respondents in each country answered they are satisfied with freedom of speech in the European Union. Proportions range from 86% in Denmark, 84% in Portugal and 81% in Ireland to 56% in Romania and Bulgaria and 59% in Croatia and Hungary. Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 75 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In all but one country, the majority of respondents answered they are satisfied with the level of respect for fundamental rights in the European Union, with those in Denmark (81%), Ireland (80%) and the Netherlands (77%) the most likely to be satisfied. The exception is Croatia (satisfied: 47%; not satisfied: 50%). Apart from Croatia, fewer than half were satisfied in Bulgaria (47%) and Romania (48%). Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 76 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In all the 28 Member States, the majority of respondents said they are satisfied with the possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life, and this is particularly the case in Denmark (78%), Ireland (76%) and Poland (74%). At the other end of the scale are Bulgaria (45%), Romania (47%) and Croatia (53%). Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 77 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In all but one country, the majority of respondents said they are satisfied with media diversity in the EU, and this is particularly the case in Portugal (82%), Estonia (78%), and Cyprus and Lithuania (both 75%). The exception is France, where respondents were more likely to be dissatisfied (48%) than satisfied (42%). Less than a half of respondents were satisfied in Italy (48%) and the United Kingdom (49%). Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 78 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Satisfaction with the rule of law in the European Union is more variable. In Ireland (77%), Denmark (76%), and Austria and Belgium (both 72%) were observed the highest proportions of respondents who said they are satisfied, while in Bulgaria (32%), Slovenia (34%) and Croatia (40%) were observed the lowest proportions. In the following countries, respondents were most dissatisfied with the rule of law in the EU: Slovenia (62%), Bulgaria (58%), Croatia (57%), Greece and Slovakia (both 49%) and Romania (47%). Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 79 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Denmark and Ireland (both 75%), Poland and Belgium (both 68%) have the highest proportion of respondents that expressed satisfaction with the opportunities for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy in the EU. At the other end of the scale 39% in Bulgaria, 46% in Greece and 47% in Romania were also satisfied with this aspect of democracy. Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 80 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Respondents were generally less satisfied with political parties taking into account the interests of people like them. At least six in ten respondents in Denmark (67%), Sweden (63%), Ireland and the Netherlands (both 60%) were satisfied with this aspect of EU democracy, compared to 23% in Greece, 24% in Lithuania and 32% in Bulgaria and France. Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 81 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report In six countries, the majority of respondents said they are satisfied with the fight against disinformation in the media in the European Union: Ireland, Poland (both 58%), Portugal (57%), Denmark (54%), Belgium (53%) and Austria (49% satisfied; 46% not satisfied). At the other end, less than one third are satisfied with this aspect of EU democracy in Greece (29%), Slovenia (31%) and France (32%). Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) 82 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The majority of respondents were satisfied with the fight against corruption in Ireland (59%), Poland (55%) and Denmark (54%), while opinion is split in Belgium (49% satisfied; 49% not satisfied). This compares to 20% of respondents in Greece and Slovenia and 21% in Croatia and Lithuania. Base: respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views (n=24,808) A broader view of these results shows respondents in Ireland and Denmark were consistently amongst the most likely to be satisfied with each aspect of democracy in the EU. On the other hand, those in Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia were generally amongst the least likely to be satisfied. 83 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis illustrates the following differences: § Men were more likely to be satisfied with the opportunities for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy (60% vs 55% of women). § Younger respondents were generally more likely to be satisfied than older respondents, and this is particularly the case for respect for fundamental rights, the rule of law, the opportunities for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy, for political parties taking into account the interests of people like them, or with the fight against corruption. For instance, 41% of 18-24 year olds were satisfied with the fight against corruption, compared to 32% of those aged 55+. § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to be satisfied with almost every aspect. For example, 75% of those who completed their education aged 20+ were satisfied with free and fair elections, compared to 62% of those who finished school aged 15 or younger. The exceptions were media diversity, the fight against disinformation in the media and the fight against corruption, where there were no major differences. § The fewer difficulties a respondent has paying bills, the more likely they were to be satisfied with each of the aspects of democracy. For example, 60% were satisfied with the rule of law, compared to 41% who experience difficulties paying bills most of the time. § Respondents who position themselves higher on the social scale were generally more likely to be satisfied with each aspect, particularly compared to those who place themselves in the working class. Not surprisingly, respondents with a positive image of the EU were much more likely to be satisfied with each aspect. For instance, 77% with a positive view were satisfied with the respect for fundamental rights, compared to 61% who were neutral and 43% who have a negative image of the EU. The same pattern also applies for those who thought things were going in the right direction in their country or in the EU, and for those who tend to trust political parties – they were much more likely to be satisfied with each aspect compared to, respectively, those who thought things were going in the wrong direction in their country or in the EU, and those who tend not to trust political parties. 84 Democracy and elections 477 September 2018 QBB How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Total 'Satisfied' (% of respondents who agreed to be asked questions about their political views - EU) 2 8 ‘s 25 g ee É a E 6 1,7 m En 561€ «92:: sms 8; 58.3 c C I x News sao-88‘“ 8° Cao 9 9 5 _ :‘Ïwwfi 2" W'Gbí 2‘52 É OLE; 5. t; q) 2 u y: E 4- ¡7, Q-— ._ q. > o U 8 q, "a a) 3 2 Q- C —:m*ï L age-ovac° .S- “’83 t cu ¿Í g gmc: <¡>J L‘_\'5>L6E mg Ema) o A: 0 a 325.97; ‘6 ÓÉÉL'B’ñ-g ca) “65‘: L” JE s: "o 223.: cu quQ'Ï mcm '20- “¿wco m 1: 6 g 33%; '"6 “N525 ¡Ej-¿g IS?) ¡11% É g 8 t :ch 3 ¿3386-033 32 62a) g g É e son Yago-«3’53 '28 ¿0‘13 E L a-o H L a-a g ‘V ’- ._ ' L t 3 gig-2% se? 8;:- 38 3%? E“ EL 5.2.13 3‘1’0‘ 82 “5'- «tw-.9 q) m a C a) E a) Q- :L _c <1) E m ‘6 o. g "8 -— ,5 B 5 “ ,91 e 0. '_ Q LL EU28 70 69 65 63 58 57 57 44 40 36 “.3 Gender Man 71 70 66 65 58 59 60 45 41 36 Woman 68 67 63 61 59 55 55 42 39 34 15-24 73 70 69 66 60 60 62 50 42 41 25-39 71 69 65 63 60 60 60 44 39 38 40-54 71 69 64 64 59 57 57 42 40 35 55 + 68 67 62 61 56 54 54 42 39 32 {v} Education (End of) 15- 62 63 57 56 56 50 51 38 38 32 16-19 67 66 62 61 58 54 55 42 39 35 20+ 75 74 68 68 60 63 61 47 40 36 Still studying 74 73 72 68 61 63 65 53 42 43 g. Difficulties paying bills Most of the time 54 54 46 48 49 41 41 27 34 25 From time to time 62 63 58 57 54 50 53 41 40 34 Almost never/ Never 74 72 68 66 60 60 60 46 40 37 Consider belonging to The working class 62 62 58 57 52 51 52 37 38 33 The lower middle class 68 66 62 60 56 56 56 39 38 33 The middle class 73 72 67 66 61 60 60 48 42 37 The upper middle class 80 76 73 69 67 68 65 56 42 41 The upper class 80 76 74 73 62 67 62 63 42 41 Image of the EU Positive 82 82 77 74 70 69 69 55 49 44 Neutral 67 66 61 60 57 54 55 41 38 34 Negative 50 47 43 46 38 37 38 26 24 21 Things in country are going in... Right direction 80 78 76 73 68 69 69 57 51 44 Wrong direction 64 63 57 57 53 51 51 37 35 31 Neither 72 70 65 66 59 57 57 41 37 32 Things in the EU are going in... Right direction 82 81 78 75 72 72 73 60 55 50 Wrong direction 64 62 57 57 51 50 50 37 33 29 Neither 73 72 63 65 58 59 58 42 37 32 Trust in political parties Tend to trust 83 82 78 76 73 71 72 65 51 48 Tend not to trust 64 63 58 57 52 50 51 35 35 30 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report 2 The role of civil society in protecting democracy A large majority of respondents considered that civil society has an important role in promoting and protecting democracy and common values More than three quarters of respondents (76%) considered that civil society has an important role in promoting and protecting democracy and common values21. In particular, almost one third (32%) answered that the role of civil society in this area is very important. Just over one in ten (13%) thought its role is not important, although only 3% said it is not important at all. Over one in ten (11%) said they don’t know. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 21 QB16 How important is the role of civil society (association, NGOs) in promoting and protecting democracy and common values, including in terms of fostering a well-informed and pluralistic democratic debate? Very important; Somewhat important; Not very important; Not at all important; Don’t know. 86 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report Although the majority of respondents in each country think civil society has an important role to play in promoting and protecting democracy, the proportions vary considerably across Member States: from 95% of in Sweden, 86% in Denmark and 85% in the Netherlands to 57% in Greece, 60% in Czechia and 62% in Slovakia. Sweden (67%), Denmark (53%) and Cyprus (52%) are the only countries where the majority thought civil society has a very important role to play. Base: all respondents (n=27,474) 87 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The socio-demographic analysis shows no significant differences based on gender, but does illustrate the following: § Those aged 40-54 were the most likely to say civil society has an important role to play in promoting and protecting democracy and common values – particularly compared to those aged 55+ (80% vs 72%). § The longer a respondent remained in education, the more likely they were to say civil society has an important role to play: 84% of those who completed education aged 20+ think this way, compared to 63% of those who completed education prior to age 16. § Managers were the most likely to say civil society has an important role to play, particularly compared to house persons (88% vs 64%). § Respondents who position themselves in the upper middle class (85%) on the social scale were the most likely to say civil society has an important role, particularly compared to those in the working class (71%) or the lower middle class (73%). § Respondents who place themselves on the left (84%) of the political scale were most likely to say civil society has an important role, particularly compared to those on the right (77%). In addition, respondents with a positive image of the EU (88%) were the most likely to say civil society has an important role to play in promoting and protecting democracy and common values, followed by those with a neutral (74%) or negative image (64%). Finally, respondents who tend to trust political parties were more likely to think civil society has an important role, compared to those who tend not to trust them (85% vs 72%). 88 Democracy and elections September 2018 QB16 How important is the role of civil society (associations, NGOs) ¡n promoting and protecting democracy and common values, including in terms of fostering a well- informed and pluralistic democratic debate? (% - EU) É ‘6 “e á 2 É 8 5 g g a z 13 i- .E 3 ¡2 EU28 76 13 11 15-24 76 15 9 25-39 78 ‘I4 8 40-54 80 12 8 55 + 72 13 15 {v} Education {End of) 15- 63 14 23 16-19 74 15 11 20+ 84 11 5 Still studying 81 ‘l‘l 8 Socio-professional category Self-employed 76 15 9 Managers 88 10 2 Other white collars 78 16 6 Manual workers 75 15 10 House persons 64 17 19 Unemployed 70 17 13 Retired 72 12 16 Students 81 1 1 8 la Consider belonging to The working class 71 14 15 The lower middle class 73 16 11 The middle class 79 13 8 The upper middle class 85 11 4 The upper class 75 18 7 ‘ L ¡:1 Left-right political scale Left 84 10 6 Centre 79 13 8 Right 77 16 7 Positive 88 6 6 Neutral 74 15 ‘I 1 Negative 64 23 13 Trust in political parties Tend to trust Tend not to trust 85 9 6 72 477 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report CONCLUSION This report has explored the opinions of respondents in a range of areas relating to elections and democracy. The results show satisfaction with democracy in the EU is generally high. Large majorities were satisfied with key tenets such as free and fair elections, freedom of speech and respect for fundamental rights. However, only a minority thought political parties take the interests of people like them into account, and only a minority were satisfied with the fight against disinformation in the media or the fight against corruption. Almost two thirds of respondents were satisfied with the possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life. In case a candidate from another EU country wins a municipal election in the country where he is living, four in ten respondents considered that this candidate should have the same rights as all other elected candidates and the same proportion shared the view that the presence of such candidates would increase the turnout in local elections. Less than a quarter of respondents considered that such candidates should have limited duties. When it comes to European Parliament elections, information is a key factor in increasing voter turnout. More than four in ten respondents said being better informed about the EU and its impact on their daily life would make them more inclined to vote. More young candidates and more women candidates were also among the most mentioned factors that would increase the motivation to vote. It is worth noting that more than one in ten respondents did not see a need for additional incentives, as they would vote anyway. Only a small proportion of respondents spontaneously said they would not vote in European Parliament elections in case they were living in another EU country, further highlighting that for most respondents the intention to vote is not based on where in the EU they were living at election time. The majority of respondents would prefer to vote in their country of residence, rather than their country of origin if they were in this situation. Maintaining the right to vote in national elections of their country of origin even when living in another EU country is also important to the majority. Large majorities would want to maintain the right to vote in their national elections in this situation, with voting electronically or online more popular than voting in their embassy or consulate or by post. More than two thirds of respondents answered they are satisfied with free and fair elections in the EU, and the majority also considered that their country is doing enough to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections. However, many had specific concerns about voting electronically, online or by post. An absolute majority of respondents were concerned about the potential of these voting methods for fraud or cyberattack, about the difficulties they might cause for groups such as those with disabilities or older people, about voters being influenced by third parties or about the secrecy of the ballot. In fact, more than one in five respondents were very concerned about each of these possibilities. More broadly, the majority of respondents were concerned about various kinds of potential electoral interferences when it comes to elections in Europe, with the potential for elections being manipulated via cyberattacks or foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly being the most widely held concerns. However, only a minority were concerned about ineligible people voting, or about some people voting twice. More than three quarters of respondents considered that civil society has an important role in promoting and protecting democracy and common values – in fact almost one third saw this role as ’very important‘. Furthermore, the majority of respondents in each EU Member State thought this way. 90 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Report The results show there is broad support amongst Internet-using respondents for applying the same pre-election rules for traditional media to social networks, Internet platforms and the actors that use them. In fact, more than six in ten Internet-using respondents in each Member State shared this opinion. In particular, at least eight in ten of these respondents were in favour of transparency about content that is advertising and who is paying for it, about giving equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services and online social networks, about Internet platforms making clear the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups. The support given to these measures, in part, might be due to concerns that the majority of Internetusing respondents expressed about misinformation and disinformation online, personal data being used to target messages and undermine free and fair competition between parties, and censorship of debates on social networks during the pre-election period. However, these concerns may not necessarily be the result of personal experience – less than one third follow or participate in online discussions of political topics during election periods and less than one in ten actively participate by contributing to these kinds of debates. For those that use social networks but don’t participate, the main reasons preventing them from actively participating were the perception that it is not useful for them, a lack of trust in social networks and the feeling it would have no impact. 91 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 Technical specifications September 2018 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Between the 8th and the 26th of September 2018, Kantar Public Brussels on behalf on Kantar Belgium carried out the wave 90.1 of the EUROBAROMETER survey, at the request of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. It is a survey coordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication, “Media monitoring, media analysis and Eurobarometer” Unit. The wave 90.1 includes the SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER 477 and covers the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 28 Member States and aged 15 years and over. FIELDWORK DATES COUNTRIES INSTITUTES N° INTERVIEWS POPULATION 15+ PROPORTION EU28 BE Belgium Kantar Belgium (Kantar TNS) 1.018 11/09/2018 BG Bulgaria Kantar TNS BBSS 1.040 11/09/2018 26/09/2018 9.693.779 2,25% 23/09/2018 6.537.535 CZ Czechia Kantar CZ 1.012 1,52% 08/09/2018 21/09/2018 9.238.431 DK Denmark Kantar Gallup 2,14% 1.015 08/09/2018 21/09/2018 4.838.729 DE Germany 1,12% Kantar Deutschland 1.507 10/09/2018 23/09/2018 70.160.634 16,26% EE IE Estonia Kantar Emor 1.017 11/09/2018 24/09/2018 1.160.064 0,27% Ireland Behaviour & Attitudes 1.001 10/09/2018 23/09/2018 3.592.162 0,83% EL Greece Taylor Nelson Sofres Market Research 1.015 11/09/2018 23/09/2018 9.937.810 2,30% ES Spain TNS Investigación de Mercados y Opinión 1.009 11/09/2018 23/09/2018 39.445.245 9,14% FR France Kantar Public France 1.027 11/09/2018 21/09/2018 54.097.255 12,54% HR Croatia Hendal 1.050 10/09/2018 23/09/2018 3.796.476 0,88% IT Italy Kantar Italia 1.029 10/09/2018 21/09/2018 52.334.536 12,13% CY Rep. Of Cyprus CYMAR Market Research 503 10/09/2018 21/09/2018 741.308 0,17% LV Latvia Kantar TNS Latvia 1.001 12/09/2018 25/09/2018 1.707.082 0,40% LT Lithuania TNS LT 1.007 11/09/2018 23/09/2018 2.513.384 0,58% LU Luxembourg ILReS 506 10/09/2018 21/09/2018 457.127 0,11% HU Hungary Kantar Hoffmann 1.018 13/09/2018 23/09/2018 8.781.161 2,04% MT Malta MISCO International 509 08/09/2018 21/09/2018 364.171 0,08% NL Netherlands TNS NIPO 1.044 08/09/2018 21/09/2018 13.979.215 3,24% AT Austria Info Research Austria Institut für Marktund Meinungsforschung 1.007 10/09/2018 23/09/2018 7.554.711 1,75% PL Poland Kantar Polska 1.034 10/09/2018 21/09/2018 33.444.171 7,75% PT Portugal Marktest – Marketing, Organização e Formação 1.016 11/09/2018 24/09/2018 8.480.126 1,97% RO Romania Centrul Pentru Studierea Opiniei si Pietei (CSOP) 1.007 12/09/2018 23/09/2018 16.852.701 3,91% SI Slovenia Mediana DOO 1.018 11/09/2018 23/09/2018 1.760.032 0,41% SK Slovakia Kantar Slovakia 1.042 11/09/2018 23/09/2018 4.586.024 1,06% FI Finland Kantar TNS Oy 1.011 08/09/2018 23/09/2018 4.747.810 1,10% SE Sweden Kantar Sifo 1.011 10/09/2018 23/09/2018 7.998.763 1,85% UK United Kingdom Kantar UK Limited 1.000 10/09/2018 24/09/2018 52.651.777 12,20% 27.474 08/09/2018 26/09/2018 431.452.219 100%* TOTAL EU28 * It should be noted that the total percentage shown in this table may exceed 100% due to rounding TS1 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 Technical specifications September 2018 The basic sample design applied in all states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each country, a number of sampling points was drawn with probability proportional to population size (for a total coverage of the country) and to population density. In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative regional units", after stratification by individual unit and type of area. They thus represent the whole territory of the countries surveyed according to the EUROSTAT NUTS II1 (or equivalent) and according to the distribution of the resident population of the respective nationalities in terms of metropolitan, urban and rural areas. In each of the selected sampling points, a starting address was drawn, at random. Further addresses (every Nth address) were selected by standard "random route" procedures, from the initial address. In each household, the respondent was drawn, at random (following the "closest birthday rule"). All interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes and in the appropriate national language. As far as the data capture is concerned, CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview) was used in those countries where this technique was available. For each country a comparison between the sample and the universe was carried out. The Universe description was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all countries surveyed, a national weighting procedure, using marginal and intercellular weighting, was carried out based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS opinion & social applies the official population figures as provided by EUROSTAT or national statistic offices. The total population figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed here. Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews, the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits: Statistical Margins due to the sampling process (at the 95% level of confidence) various sample sizes are in rows various observed results are in columns 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% N=50 95% 6.0 90% 8.3 85% 9.9 80% 11.1 75% 12.0 70% 12.7 65% 13.2 60% 13.6 55% 13.8 50% 13.9 N=50 N=500 1.9 2.6 3.1 3.5 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.4 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.1 3.1 N=1000 N=1000 1.4 N=1500 N=2000 1.1 1.0 1.5 1.3 1.8 1.6 2.0 1.8 2.2 1.9 2.3 2.0 2.4 2.1 2.5 2.1 2.5 2.2 2.5 2.2 N=1500 N=2000 N=3000 N=4000 0.8 0.7 1.1 0.9 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.5 1.3 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.5 N=3000 N=4000 N=5000 N=6000 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3 N=5000 N=6000 N=7000 N=7500 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.1 N=7000 N=7500 N=8000 N=9000 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.0 N=8000 N=9000 N=10000 N=11000 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.0 0.9 N=10000 N=11000 N=12000 N=13000 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 N=12000 N=13000 N=14000 N=15000 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 N=14000 N=15000 5% 95% 10% 90% 15% 85% 20% 80% 25% 75% 30% 70% 35% 65% 40% 60% 45% 55% 50% 50% 1 N=500 Figures updated in August 2015 TS2 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Questionnaire QUESTIONNAIRE EU citizens living in an EU country other than their country of origin have the right to vote in European Parliament elections either in their country of residence or in their country of origin. Q1 If you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, would you rather vote in European Parliament elections organised in …? (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) …your country of residence …your country of origin It depends/ It depends on the elections (SPONTANEOUS) I would not vote (SPONTANEOUS) DK 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Let's now discuss about national elections. Q2 If you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, how important is it or would it be for you to retain the right to vote in national elections held in your country of origin? (READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Very important Fairly important Not very important Not at all important DK 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q3 And if you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, which of the following would be your preferred way of voting in the national elections of your country? (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Voting in the embassy or consulate of your country of origin Voting electronically or online Voting by post Other (SPONTANEOUS) You would not vote (SPONTANEOUS) DK 1 2 3 4 5 6 NEW Q1 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Questionnaire Let's now turn to municipal elections. Q4 EU citizens living in another EU country have the right to stand as candidates in municipal elections there. Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Once elected, these candidates… (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) …should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position 1 …should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position except for being mayor …should only be allowed to exercise limited duties 2 Other (SPONTANEOUS) None (SPONTANEOUS) DK 4 5 6 3 NEW Q5 Thinking about local elections, do you think that in (OUR COUNTRY) the presence of candidates who are nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in these elections? (READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Yes, definitely Yes, probably No, probably not No, definitely not DK 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q2 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Q6 Questionnaire The next European Parliament elections will be held in May 2019. Which of the following would make you more inclined to vote in these elections? (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - MAX. 3 ANSWERS) Being better informed about the EU and its impact on your 1, daily life Having more women candidates Having more young people standing as candidates Having more candidates from other under-represented groups 2, 3, 4, Having more candidates who are nationals of other EU countries 5, Other (SPONTANEOUS) None, will vote anyway (SPONTANEOUS) None, will not vote anyway (SPONTANEOUS) None, voting is compulsory in (OUR COUNTRY) (SPONTANEOUS) DK 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, NEW Q7 Imagine now that you were able to vote electronically, online or by post. How concerned or not would you be about each of the following? Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned DK (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER PER LINE) 1 Difficulties of use for some people, such as people with disabilities or older people 1 2 3 4 5 2 The potential for fraud or cyberattack 1 2 3 4 5 3 The secrecy of the ballot 1 2 3 4 5 4 Voters being influenced by third parties 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q3 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied DK How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER PER LINE) Very satisfied Q8 Questionnaire 1 Free and fair elections 1 2 3 4 5 2 Freedom of speech 1 2 3 4 5 3 4 Media diversity Possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life (e.g. as candidates in elections, members of political parties) Rule of law (e.g. respect for independence of the judiciary, the integrity and impartiality of the electoral system) Respect for fundamental rights The opportunities for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy Political parties taking into account the interests of people like you Fight against disinformation in the media (e.g. false, exaggerated or misrepresented news stories) Fight against corruption 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 NEW Q4 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Q9 Questionnaire Overall, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY) is doing what is needed to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections, whether at the local, national or European level? (READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Yes, definitely Yes, to some extent No, not really No, not at all It depends/ It depends on the election (SPONTANEOUS) DK 1 2 3 4 5 6 NEW Q10 In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned DK (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER PER LINE) 1 People voting although they are not entitled to vote 1 2 3 4 5 2 The final result of an election being manipulated 1 2 3 4 5 3 Votes being bought or sold 1 2 3 4 5 4 Elections being manipulated through cyberattacks 1 2 3 4 5 5 People being coerced into voting in a particular way 1 2 3 4 5 6 Foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly 1 2 3 4 5 7 Some people voting twice 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Questionnaire ASK Q11 TO Q15 IF CODES 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 OR D62.2 OR D62.3 OR D62.4 (ONLY TO INTERNET USERS) Q11 During election periods, do you follow or participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks (e.g. responding to posts or sharing content)? (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Yes, you follow this type of online debates and contribute to these debates 1 Yes, you follow this type of online debates but in a passive way by reading or listening to it 2 No, you do not follow or participate in this type of online debates 3 You are not active on online social networks/ You don't use online social networks (SPONTANEOUS) 4 DK 5 NEW ASK Q12 TO THOSE WHO DO NOT ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE (CODES 2, 3 AND 4 IN Q11) Q12 What prevents you from actively participating in these types of online debates? (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - MAX. 3 ANSWERS) You think it's not useful for you 1, You don't feel comfortable expressing your political beliefs online 2, You think it has no impact, it's a waste of time 3, The language and tone used in these online debates are often violent or hateful 4, You think your comments would be censored by the online social network 5, You think that these online debates are poorly moderated or not moderated enough You think that these online debates are dominated by certain groups of the population You don't trust online social networks Other (SPONTANEOUS) DK 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, NEW Q6 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Q13 Questionnaire Turning now to the pre-election period, whether at the local, national or European level. How concerned or not are you about the following issues related to the use of the Internet and of online social networks? Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned DK (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER PER LINE) 1 The personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties 1 2 3 4 5 2 Disinformation and misinformation on the Internet 1 2 3 4 5 3 Restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q14 In a pre-election period, traditional media usually have to observe a number of rules, such as observing silence periods just before the elections, ensuring equal campaigning time for the different candidates or strict rules on funding for the campaign. Do you think that these rules should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them? (READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Yes, definitely Yes, to some extent No, not really No, not at all DK 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q7 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Q15 Questionnaire In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? 5 6 DK 4 Strongly opposed 3 Somewhat opposed 2 Transparency of online social networks and other Internet platforms about the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups Transparency of online social networks and other Internet platforms to make clear what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them Equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention (e.g. that online platforms do not discriminate against particular parties or offer special rates to other ones) The right of reply for candidates or political parties on online social networks Publication of campaignrelated opinion polls only if accompanied by sufficient technical information Introduction on online social networks of the same strict silence period ("days of reflection") that is required for the other media Somewhat in favour 1 Strongly in favour (SHOW SCREEN - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER PER LINE) 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 NEW Q8 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Questionnaire ASK ALL Q16 How important is the role of civil society (associations, NGOs) in promoting and protecting democracy and common values, including in terms of fostering a well-informed and pluralistic democratic debate? (READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) Very important 1 Somewhat important 2 Not very important 3 Not at all important 4 DK 5 NEW Q9 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 … your country of origin It depends/ It depends on the elections (SPONTANEOUS) I would not vote (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know If you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, would you rather vote in European Parliament elections organised in …? (%) EU28 56 26 7 6 5 BE 66 18 2 6 8 BG 40 24 11 11 14 CZ 58 25 4 7 6 DK 45 38 8 2 7 DE 58 14 15 8 5 EE 51 25 6 5 13 … your country of residence QB1 Tables IE 59 29 5 3 4 EL 63 27 3 6 1 ES 52 34 5 5 4 FR 63 26 3 4 4 HR 51 33 4 9 3 IT 48 27 10 8 7 CY 49 36 6 8 1 LV 62 21 5 6 6 LT 48 32 4 8 8 LU 72 17 3 4 4 HU 66 24 5 3 2 MT 40 41 4 7 8 NL 73 17 4 3 3 AT 55 24 11 6 4 PL 56 27 5 5 7 PT 57 21 5 11 6 RO 48 37 4 5 6 SI 52 28 6 10 4 SK 50 24 8 10 8 FI 65 27 1 3 4 SE 50 37 7 1 5 UK 59 28 3 4 6 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly important Not very important Not at all important Don't know Total 'Important' Total 'Not important' If you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, how important is it or would it be for you to retain the right to vote in national elections held in your country of origin? (%) Very important QB2 Tables EU28 37 37 15 7 4 74 22 BE 22 45 21 11 1 67 32 BG 34 37 12 9 8 71 21 CZ 27 35 21 12 5 62 33 DK 42 34 14 5 5 76 19 DE 39 29 18 10 4 68 28 EE 29 37 19 6 9 66 25 IE 45 37 9 6 3 82 15 EL 40 41 14 4 1 81 18 ES 41 39 10 6 4 80 16 FR 46 32 12 8 2 78 20 HR 18 39 26 14 3 57 40 IT 25 48 16 6 5 73 22 CY 54 25 11 8 2 79 19 LV 32 42 14 8 4 74 22 LT 27 47 15 7 4 74 22 LU 32 33 18 11 6 65 29 HU 36 46 12 5 1 82 17 MT 44 36 8 6 6 80 14 NL 29 30 29 10 2 59 39 AT 31 40 18 6 5 71 24 PL 29 52 9 3 7 81 12 PT 26 57 11 3 3 83 14 22 RO 37 37 16 6 4 74 SI 37 26 20 14 3 63 34 SK 25 41 18 9 7 66 27 FI 47 38 9 4 2 85 13 SE 59 30 8 2 1 89 10 UK 45 29 15 7 4 74 22 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Voting electronically or online Voting by post Other (SPONTANEOUS) You would not vote (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know And if you live or were to live in an EU country other than your country of origin, which of the following would be your preferred way of voting in the national elections of your country? (%) Voting in the embassy or consulate of your country of origin QB3 Tables EU28 27 42 19 0 7 5 BE 18 56 15 1 6 4 BG 40 32 4 1 11 12 CZ 32 45 12 0 8 3 DK 17 58 18 0 3 4 DE 14 30 40 0 12 4 EE 22 61 2 1 5 9 IE 20 53 19 0 5 3 EL 51 30 5 3 8 3 ES 20 40 29 0 7 4 FR 32 45 14 0 5 4 HR 32 46 9 0 10 3 IT 48 30 6 0 10 6 CY 37 45 5 1 10 2 LV 25 57 7 1 5 5 LT 15 52 18 0 8 7 LU 21 42 23 1 8 5 HU 43 29 18 1 5 4 MT 27 49 10 1 4 9 NL 14 72 9 0 4 1 AT 20 37 33 0 6 4 PL 32 46 7 0 5 10 PT 41 32 10 0 11 6 RO 43 32 10 1 6 8 SI 17 38 25 1 17 2 SK 13 43 20 1 13 10 2 FI 20 61 14 0 3 SE 26 51 21 0 1 1 UK 12 58 22 0 4 4 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 … should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position except for being mayor … should only be allowed to exercise limited duties Other (SPONTANEOUS) None (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know EU citizens living in another EU country have the right to stand as candidates in municipal elections there. Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Once elected, these candidates… (%) EU28 40 23 22 1 4 10 BE 38 27 30 0 1 4 BG 28 20 18 1 7 26 CZ 36 22 26 0 7 9 DK 43 23 23 1 2 8 DE 42 25 16 1 8 8 EE 30 18 30 1 4 17 … should have the same rights as all other elected candidates to become members of the municipal executive bodies and to hold any executive position QB4 Tables IE 48 27 15 0 1 9 EL 39 21 30 1 4 5 ES 45 18 18 1 5 13 FR 38 23 29 1 2 7 HR 37 19 31 1 4 8 IT 38 26 18 1 5 12 CY 31 21 36 1 6 5 LV 29 23 31 1 5 11 LT 32 18 28 1 9 12 LU 47 21 19 1 3 9 HU 27 24 31 0 10 8 MT 37 19 19 1 8 16 NL 51 21 23 0 3 2 AT 36 23 31 0 5 5 PL 28 29 27 0 4 12 PT 45 20 16 0 4 15 RO 32 28 23 0 5 12 SI 40 19 23 1 10 7 SK 30 22 29 0 4 15 FI 36 21 36 0 1 6 SE 47 24 22 0 2 5 UK 44 21 18 1 2 14 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 No, probably not No, definitely not Don't know Total 'Yes' Total 'No' EU28 9 31 30 19 11 40 49 BE 8 40 33 15 4 48 48 BG 11 23 25 22 19 34 47 CZ 7 20 36 28 9 27 64 DK 6 24 33 29 8 30 62 DE 8 19 34 29 10 27 63 EE 6 26 34 15 19 32 49 24 Yes, probably Thinking about local elections, do you think that in (OUR COUNTRY) the presence of candidates who are nationals of other EU countries would increase the turnout in these elections? (%) Yes, definitely QB5 Tables IE 22 47 18 6 7 69 EL 12 30 31 21 6 42 52 ES 11 28 27 21 13 39 48 FR 9 33 26 21 11 42 47 HR 11 31 29 19 10 42 48 IT 8 37 25 17 13 45 42 CY 21 34 22 16 7 55 38 LV 13 36 27 13 11 49 40 LT 7 33 32 19 9 40 51 LU 22 38 20 10 10 60 30 HU 15 42 24 10 9 57 34 MT 5 33 26 20 16 38 46 NL 7 38 37 12 6 45 49 AT 10 27 32 24 7 37 56 PL 6 35 34 9 16 41 43 PT 4 34 32 17 13 38 49 RO 15 40 22 12 11 55 34 SI 7 22 33 32 6 29 65 SK 4 28 27 30 11 32 57 FI 3 28 47 14 8 31 61 SE 5 34 41 10 10 39 51 UK 13 35 30 11 11 48 41 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 12 8 3 Don't know Other (SPONTANEOUS) 31 None, voting is compulsory in (OUR COUNTRY) (SPONTANEOUS) Having more candidates who are nationals of other EU countries 20 None, will not vote anyway (SPONTANEOUS) Having more candidates from other under-represented groups 43 None, will vote anyway (SPONTANEOUS) Having more young people standing as candidates EU28 Having more women candidates The next European Parliament elections will be held in May 2019. Which of the following would make you more inclined to vote in these elections? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) (%) Being better informed about the EU and its impact on your daily life QB6 Tables 12 7 2 6 BE 53 28 30 13 9 4 1 3 3 1 BG 34 17 43 13 6 3 7 11 2 8 CZ 42 13 31 14 5 8 6 9 2 7 DK 47 14 15 5 2 4 25 4 2 4 DE 28 14 24 9 5 2 34 8 2 5 EE 34 12 23 8 3 4 16 9 4 9 IE 45 34 42 20 18 2 6 2 1 3 EL 51 25 47 19 9 5 6 10 3 4 ES 45 24 27 9 9 4 8 7 1 8 FR 60 32 28 15 10 2 4 6 2 4 HR 32 32 54 17 13 1 3 11 1 3 6 IT 34 22 39 8 8 1 9 7 5 CY 42 30 60 9 6 1 5 10 2 1 LV 54 8 38 9 7 2 6 3 2 5 LT 32 8 43 10 6 5 9 9 5 4 LU 48 25 33 15 14 5 3 4 4 8 HU 38 19 27 17 11 2 12 7 2 5 MT 33 29 34 17 8 3 18 5 2 7 NL 67 22 30 13 6 4 11 4 0 1 AT 38 23 32 17 14 5 10 9 1 5 PL 34 16 33 15 9 3 6 6 1 10 PT 45 18 25 9 8 3 11 11 1 9 RO 42 14 42 13 11 2 5 4 3 7 SI 30 14 33 9 5 7 17 11 2 3 SK 35 21 33 11 5 3 7 8 1 12 FI 48 18 30 10 4 5 12 5 0 5 SE 66 22 19 15 4 4 14 2 2 2 UK 51 12 27 15 10 4 6 12 2 5 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 21 BE 22 45 23 BG 33 34 15 Total 'Not concerned' 36 Total 'Concerned' 29 Don't know Not very concerned EU28 Not at all concerned Somewhat concerned Imagine now that you were able to vote electronically, online or by post. How concerned or not would you be about each of the following? Difficulties of use for some people, such as people with disabilities or older people (%) Very concerned QB7.1 Tables 10 4 65 31 9 1 67 32 8 10 67 23 CZ 25 30 24 16 5 55 40 DK 32 36 18 12 2 68 30 DE 17 30 35 14 4 47 49 EE 11 37 26 17 9 48 43 IE 34 42 16 6 2 76 22 EL 35 39 15 6 5 74 21 ES 49 32 8 8 3 81 16 FR 39 36 13 9 3 75 22 HR 27 36 18 15 4 63 33 IT 31 41 18 6 4 72 24 CY 38 29 15 12 6 67 27 LV 26 39 15 14 6 65 29 LT 27 35 20 11 7 62 31 LU 26 38 16 12 8 64 28 HU 26 38 20 13 3 64 33 MT 27 42 16 7 8 69 23 NL 19 44 24 12 1 63 36 AT 23 39 26 10 2 62 36 PL 18 39 26 13 4 57 39 PT 19 43 25 8 5 62 33 RO 29 37 21 8 5 66 29 SI 19 28 27 20 6 47 47 SK 13 35 29 17 6 48 46 FI 31 41 20 6 2 72 26 SE 18 38 31 11 2 56 42 UK 37 34 18 9 2 71 27 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 19 BE 21 45 23 BG 26 36 16 Total 'Not concerned' 35 Total 'Concerned' 33 Don't know Not very concerned EU28 Not at all concerned Somewhat concerned Imagine now that you were able to vote electronically, online or by post. How concerned or not would you be about each of the following? The potential for fraud or cyberattack (%) Very concerned QB7.2 Tables 9 4 68 28 9 2 66 32 9 13 62 25 CZ 36 27 19 13 5 63 32 DK 31 39 17 11 2 70 28 DE 28 34 27 8 3 62 35 EE 15 31 29 17 8 46 46 IE 35 40 16 6 3 75 22 EL 29 37 20 5 9 66 25 ES 46 31 11 8 4 77 19 FR 37 32 16 12 3 69 28 HR 24 33 22 16 5 57 38 IT 31 39 19 6 5 70 25 CY 37 33 14 9 7 70 23 LV 41 30 13 11 5 71 24 LT 26 36 18 10 10 62 28 LU 33 29 18 13 7 62 31 HU 32 38 17 10 3 70 27 MT 24 39 19 5 13 63 24 NL 21 44 24 10 1 65 34 AT 27 36 25 9 3 63 34 PL 23 43 20 10 4 66 30 PT 24 37 24 9 6 61 33 RO 34 36 18 7 5 70 25 SI 21 29 27 18 5 50 45 SK 15 33 29 15 8 48 44 FI 23 39 28 7 3 62 35 SE 20 39 30 10 1 59 40 UK 44 31 14 8 3 75 22 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' Imagine now that you were able to vote electronically, online or by post. How concerned or not would you be about each of the following? The secrecy of the ballot (%) Very concerned QB7.3 Tables EU28 24 31 27 15 3 55 42 BE 17 36 31 15 1 53 46 BG 24 33 20 14 9 57 34 CZ 21 24 29 21 5 45 50 DK 20 27 28 21 4 47 49 DE 14 29 39 16 2 43 55 EE 11 26 29 26 8 37 55 IE 30 36 23 8 3 66 31 EL 31 35 22 7 5 66 29 ES 36 27 16 17 4 63 33 FR 30 28 20 19 3 58 39 HR 24 33 24 15 4 57 39 33 IT 26 36 23 10 5 62 CY 34 27 20 13 6 61 33 LV 21 28 21 23 7 49 44 LT 18 35 24 14 9 53 38 LU 28 24 22 19 7 52 41 HU 26 31 25 15 3 57 40 MT 20 38 21 10 11 58 31 NL 9 29 36 24 2 38 60 AT 19 34 32 13 2 53 45 PL 19 38 26 13 4 57 39 PT 18 36 29 11 6 54 40 RO 31 34 21 10 4 65 31 52 SI 18 25 29 23 5 43 SK 10 30 35 18 7 40 53 FI 16 30 37 14 3 46 51 SE 9 20 41 27 3 29 68 UK 33 27 25 12 3 60 37 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 27 BE 15 38 32 BG 29 34 17 Total 'Not concerned' 33 Total 'Concerned' 23 Don't know Not very concerned EU28 Not at all concerned Somewhat concerned Imagine now that you were able to vote electronically, online or by post. How concerned or not would you be about each of the following? Voters being influenced by third parties (%) Very concerned QB7.4 Tables 13 4 56 40 14 1 53 46 10 10 63 27 CZ 28 27 24 17 4 55 41 DK 16 29 31 20 4 45 51 DE 16 31 37 14 2 47 51 EE 13 31 27 21 8 44 48 IE 25 38 25 9 3 63 34 EL 22 38 26 6 8 60 32 ES 41 30 14 11 4 71 25 FR 20 33 24 19 4 53 43 HR 25 31 24 16 4 56 40 IT 25 37 24 9 5 62 33 CY 33 27 20 14 6 60 34 LV 32 28 17 17 6 60 34 LT 20 36 20 13 11 56 33 LU 19 27 26 20 8 46 46 HU 28 37 20 12 3 65 32 MT 19 38 21 13 9 57 34 NL 13 32 35 18 2 45 53 AT 20 31 33 14 2 51 47 PL 18 38 27 13 4 56 40 PT 15 39 29 11 6 54 40 RO 30 33 24 8 5 63 32 52 SI 17 25 29 23 6 42 SK 13 36 28 16 7 49 44 FI 14 31 41 11 3 45 52 SE 12 33 37 16 2 45 53 UK 29 32 24 12 3 61 36 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Free and fair elections (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.1 Tables EU28 19 51 18 6 1 5 70 24 BE 18 59 17 5 1 0 77 22 BG 8 30 35 17 1 9 38 52 CZ 15 52 20 7 2 4 67 27 DK 38 45 10 2 1 4 83 12 DE 31 52 11 3 0 3 83 14 EE 17 57 16 3 0 7 74 19 IE 27 56 9 2 1 5 83 11 EL 15 47 29 6 0 3 62 35 ES 20 45 24 9 0 2 65 33 26 FR 13 54 21 5 1 6 67 HR 10 39 30 18 1 2 49 48 IT 14 47 23 9 2 5 61 32 CY 24 49 20 3 0 4 73 23 LV 17 52 20 6 0 5 69 26 LT 16 48 27 4 1 4 64 31 LU 21 53 12 4 3 7 74 16 37 HU 13 46 25 12 1 3 59 MT 12 56 17 4 1 10 68 21 NL 26 57 11 3 0 3 83 14 AT 30 49 13 6 1 1 79 19 PL 18 56 17 4 3 2 74 21 14 PT 9 72 12 2 1 4 81 RO 10 41 29 14 2 4 51 43 SI 16 47 23 10 1 3 63 33 SK 8 53 22 6 2 9 61 28 FI 24 56 13 1 1 5 80 14 SE 22 59 11 2 1 5 81 13 UK 16 50 16 6 3 9 66 22 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Freedom of speech (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.2 Tables EU28 20 49 20 7 1 3 69 27 BE 18 58 18 5 1 0 76 23 BG 15 41 25 11 1 7 56 36 CZ 13 49 25 10 1 2 62 35 DK 38 48 10 1 0 3 86 11 DE 30 48 16 3 1 2 78 19 EE 18 57 16 3 0 6 75 19 IE 29 52 11 3 1 4 81 14 EL 19 50 22 8 0 1 69 30 ES 18 44 26 10 1 1 62 36 FR 14 48 27 8 0 3 62 35 HR 18 41 28 11 0 2 59 39 IT 16 45 23 11 1 4 61 34 CY 28 47 20 3 0 2 75 23 LV 22 50 18 7 0 3 72 25 LT 21 56 18 3 0 2 77 21 LU 28 46 15 4 3 4 74 19 HU 15 44 26 12 1 2 59 38 MT 13 53 20 7 0 7 66 27 NL 24 56 15 3 0 2 80 18 AT 34 44 16 5 0 1 78 21 PL 19 55 19 4 2 1 74 23 12 PT 12 72 10 2 1 3 84 RO 14 42 25 14 2 3 56 39 SI 19 51 20 7 1 2 70 27 SK 9 53 23 8 1 6 62 31 FI 23 55 15 3 0 4 78 18 SE 20 55 15 3 1 6 75 18 UK 18 49 17 6 3 7 67 23 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Media diversity (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.3 Tables EU28 14 44 25 9 2 6 58 34 BE 11 55 24 7 2 1 66 31 BG 25 35 20 10 1 9 60 30 CZ 17 49 20 9 1 4 66 29 DK 21 45 20 5 2 7 66 25 DE 24 50 19 4 1 2 74 23 EE 19 59 12 3 0 7 78 15 IE 15 51 17 7 1 9 66 24 EL 20 45 27 5 0 3 65 32 ES 18 40 28 10 1 3 58 38 FR 7 35 34 14 1 9 42 48 HR 17 39 28 13 1 2 56 41 IT 11 37 30 12 3 7 48 42 CY 24 51 18 3 0 4 75 21 LV 22 51 16 6 0 5 73 22 LT 20 55 19 4 0 2 75 23 LU 12 49 22 5 5 7 61 27 38 HU 15 44 25 13 1 2 59 MT 13 46 24 6 0 11 59 30 NL 16 51 21 5 1 6 67 26 AT 28 44 20 6 0 2 72 26 PL 11 45 25 8 6 5 56 33 14 PT 10 72 12 2 0 4 82 RO 12 39 26 16 4 3 51 42 SI 15 46 24 10 1 4 61 34 SK 13 44 25 9 2 7 57 34 FI 11 60 19 4 0 6 71 23 SE 10 53 21 4 1 11 63 25 UK 5 44 26 10 4 11 49 36 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Fairly satisfied How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Possibility for individual citizens to participate in political life (e.g. as candidates in elections, members of political parties) (%) Very satisfied QB8.4 Tables EU28 14 49 22 7 2 6 63 29 BE 12 58 22 6 1 1 70 28 BG 9 36 30 14 1 10 45 44 CZ 11 53 20 7 2 7 64 27 DK 29 49 12 2 1 7 78 14 DE 20 49 21 4 2 4 69 25 EE 18 53 14 4 0 11 71 18 IE 20 56 14 2 1 7 76 16 EL 11 44 32 9 0 4 55 41 ES 14 42 29 11 1 3 56 40 FR 9 51 25 7 1 7 60 32 HR 15 38 29 16 1 1 53 45 IT 9 45 27 11 2 6 54 38 CY 15 47 27 6 0 5 62 33 LV 17 51 17 7 1 7 68 24 LT 12 44 28 6 1 9 56 34 LU 16 51 18 5 3 7 67 23 HU 17 47 24 8 1 3 64 32 MT 15 54 17 3 0 11 69 20 NL 19 54 14 4 1 8 73 18 AT 20 49 22 5 1 3 69 27 PL 16 58 16 4 4 2 74 20 PT 5 64 19 4 1 7 69 23 RO 10 37 29 16 4 4 47 45 SI 13 44 27 10 1 5 57 37 SK 9 51 22 7 2 9 60 29 FI 18 52 19 4 1 6 70 23 SE 15 50 16 4 2 13 65 20 UK 13 50 17 7 3 10 63 24 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Fairly satisfied How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Rule of law (e.g. respect for independence of the judiciary, the integrity and impartiality of the electoral system) (%) Very satisfied QB8.5 Tables EU28 12 45 27 9 2 5 57 36 BE 12 60 20 6 1 1 72 26 BG 6 26 34 24 1 9 32 58 CZ 8 40 32 14 2 4 48 46 DK 29 47 13 2 1 8 76 15 DE 15 48 27 5 1 4 63 32 EE 13 57 17 3 0 10 70 20 IE 21 56 13 2 1 7 77 15 EL 9 39 37 12 0 3 48 49 ES 13 37 32 14 1 3 50 46 FR 9 44 29 10 1 7 53 39 HR 7 33 34 23 1 2 40 57 IT 10 38 33 12 1 6 48 45 CY 19 45 25 7 0 4 64 32 LV 8 40 29 9 1 13 48 38 LT 11 43 32 6 1 7 54 38 LU 16 49 15 7 4 9 65 22 HU 13 44 26 12 1 4 57 38 MT 12 50 20 5 1 12 62 25 NL 15 54 21 4 1 5 69 25 AT 22 50 20 4 1 3 72 24 PL 13 49 25 8 3 2 62 33 PT 5 53 27 6 1 8 58 33 RO 9 37 31 16 3 4 46 47 SI 4 30 36 26 1 3 34 62 SK 6 35 34 15 2 8 41 49 FI 17 50 23 4 0 6 67 27 SE 13 51 20 3 1 12 64 23 UK 13 49 18 8 3 9 62 26 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Respect for fundamental rights (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.6 Tables EU28 15 50 23 7 1 4 65 30 BE 17 59 18 4 1 1 76 22 BG 9 38 32 14 1 6 47 46 CZ 13 49 25 9 1 3 62 34 DK 28 53 11 2 1 5 81 13 DE 17 55 21 4 1 2 72 25 EE 15 61 13 4 0 7 76 17 14 IE 21 59 12 2 1 5 80 EL 11 44 31 13 0 1 55 44 ES 16 41 29 12 1 1 57 41 FR 11 48 29 8 0 4 59 37 HR 11 36 32 18 1 2 47 50 IT 13 44 26 11 1 5 57 37 CY 18 48 26 5 0 3 66 31 LV 15 53 17 7 0 8 68 24 LT 14 50 27 4 0 5 64 31 LU 20 52 14 6 4 4 72 20 HU 15 47 25 10 1 2 62 35 MT 14 54 17 6 0 9 68 23 NL 20 57 17 2 0 4 77 19 AT 28 45 18 5 0 4 73 23 PL 16 56 20 4 2 2 72 24 PT 8 55 28 6 0 3 63 34 RO 11 37 30 16 3 3 48 46 SI 12 45 27 12 1 3 57 39 SK 7 46 27 10 2 8 53 37 23 FI 19 53 21 2 0 5 72 SE 17 52 21 4 1 5 69 25 UK 13 52 17 6 3 9 65 23 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 58 9 30 24 5 33 17 Total 'Not satisfied' 10 8 Total 'Satisfied' BE BG 26 Don't know 47 Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) 10 Not at all satisfied EU28 Not very satisfied Fairly satisfied How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? The opportunities for civil society to play its role in promoting and protecting democracy (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.7 Tables 2 7 57 34 1 2 68 29 1 10 39 50 CZ 9 46 26 9 2 8 55 35 DK 21 54 12 2 1 10 75 14 DE 11 48 29 4 2 6 59 33 EE 11 53 21 3 1 11 64 24 17 IE 18 57 14 3 1 7 75 EL 6 40 40 12 0 2 46 52 ES 13 36 34 13 1 3 49 47 FR 8 44 29 8 2 9 52 37 HR 10 39 33 16 1 1 49 49 IT 10 44 28 11 1 6 54 39 CY 17 48 25 6 0 4 65 31 LV 13 51 20 7 0 9 64 27 LT 11 45 29 4 0 11 56 33 LU 11 50 18 7 5 9 61 25 HU 13 44 27 11 2 3 57 38 MT 9 52 20 7 0 12 61 27 NL 8 52 26 4 1 9 60 30 AT 18 47 20 8 1 6 65 28 PL 14 54 22 4 4 2 68 26 PT 5 61 21 4 1 8 66 25 RO 9 38 32 13 4 4 47 45 SI 8 42 32 11 1 6 50 43 SK 6 44 29 9 2 10 50 38 27 FI 11 54 23 4 0 8 65 SE 11 53 21 3 2 10 64 24 UK 8 52 17 7 5 11 60 24 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Fairly satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Political parties taking into account the interests of people like you (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.8 Tables EU28 8 36 33 17 2 4 44 50 BE 10 46 28 14 1 1 56 42 BG 6 26 32 27 1 8 32 59 CZ 8 30 33 24 1 4 38 57 DK 16 51 21 6 1 5 67 27 DE 6 43 37 9 2 3 49 46 EE 7 43 30 10 0 10 50 40 33 IE 15 45 24 9 1 6 60 EL 5 18 43 34 0 0 23 77 ES 8 29 36 24 1 2 37 60 FR 4 28 38 24 1 5 32 62 HR 10 25 32 30 1 2 35 62 IT 10 29 33 22 2 4 39 55 CY 10 31 35 20 0 4 41 55 LV 8 31 33 23 0 5 39 56 LT 7 17 45 26 0 5 24 71 LU 10 37 29 14 3 7 47 43 HU 9 37 32 19 1 2 46 51 MT 4 42 28 16 2 8 46 44 NL 11 49 26 10 0 4 60 36 AT 15 40 29 12 1 3 55 41 PL 11 47 26 10 4 2 58 36 PT 5 40 30 19 1 5 45 49 RO 7 28 30 28 4 3 35 58 SI 6 27 34 26 2 5 33 60 SK 5 34 33 16 2 10 39 49 FI 6 38 38 12 1 5 44 50 SE 11 52 23 4 2 8 63 27 UK 8 36 29 17 2 8 44 46 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 44 32 13 26 34 19 Total 'Not satisfied' 16 Total 'Satisfied' 8 36 Don't know 9 33 Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) BE BG Not at all satisfied 7 Not very satisfied EU28 Fairly satisfied How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Fight against disinformation in the media (e.g. false, exaggerated or misrepresented news stories) (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.9 Tables 2 6 40 52 1 1 53 45 1 12 34 53 CZ 5 28 38 22 2 5 33 60 DK 11 43 29 7 1 9 54 36 DE 4 31 44 14 1 6 35 58 EE 7 36 33 11 1 12 43 44 34 IE 14 44 24 10 2 6 58 EL 5 24 45 24 0 2 29 69 ES 10 30 34 22 1 3 40 56 FR 5 27 39 21 1 7 32 60 HR 7 31 37 22 1 2 38 59 IT 11 29 33 20 2 5 40 53 CY 14 32 40 10 0 4 46 50 LV 8 26 38 20 1 7 34 58 LT 6 28 43 13 1 9 34 56 LU 10 28 38 13 5 6 38 51 HU 11 34 31 18 2 4 45 49 MT 5 36 32 13 2 12 41 45 NL 4 34 40 13 2 7 38 53 AT 12 37 34 12 0 5 49 46 PL 12 46 28 8 4 2 58 36 PT 4 53 26 8 1 8 57 34 RO 8 28 35 21 4 4 36 56 SI 6 25 38 23 1 7 31 61 SK 4 30 38 16 2 10 34 54 FI 6 37 40 8 1 8 43 48 SE 3 32 39 11 1 14 35 50 UK 6 34 32 16 3 9 40 48 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied Refusal (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Satisfied' Total 'Not satisfied' EU28 Fairly satisfied How satisfied or not are you with the following aspects of democracy in the European Union? Fight against corruption (%) ('SENSITIVE QUESTION') Very satisfied QB8.10 Tables 8 28 35 22 2 5 36 57 BE 9 40 30 19 1 1 49 49 BG 6 17 29 40 1 7 23 69 CZ 6 16 35 39 1 3 22 74 DK 18 36 28 10 1 7 54 38 DE 5 24 46 17 2 6 29 63 EE 6 35 35 13 1 10 41 48 35 IE 16 43 25 10 1 5 59 EL 3 17 46 32 0 2 20 78 ES 11 20 32 34 2 1 31 66 FR 7 23 37 26 1 6 30 63 HR 4 17 33 44 1 1 21 77 58 IT 9 26 32 26 3 4 35 CY 11 27 40 17 1 4 38 57 LV 8 18 36 33 1 4 26 69 LT 5 16 39 37 0 3 21 76 LU 14 30 29 15 5 7 44 44 HU 9 30 31 25 2 3 39 56 MT 7 32 29 23 1 8 39 52 NL 6 35 37 15 1 6 41 52 AT 12 34 31 17 1 5 46 48 PL 12 43 31 8 3 3 55 39 PT 5 25 32 33 1 4 30 65 RO 10 24 31 30 2 3 34 61 SI 4 16 30 45 2 3 20 75 SK 3 22 31 34 2 8 25 65 FI 8 37 40 8 0 7 45 48 SE 6 30 36 14 2 12 36 50 UK 7 35 29 16 3 10 42 45 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 No, not really No, not at all It depends/ It depends on the election (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know Total 'Yes' Total 'No' EU28 19 39 21 10 2 9 58 31 BE 21 44 26 5 0 4 65 31 BG 7 24 30 29 5 5 31 59 CZ 21 40 26 8 1 4 61 34 DK 62 23 4 1 5 5 85 5 DE 39 34 13 4 2 8 73 17 EE 21 49 16 3 2 9 70 19 Yes, to some extent Overall, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY) is doing what is needed to prevent illegal and fraudulent activities during elections, whether at the local, national or European level? (%) Yes, definitely QB9 Tables IE 23 47 11 3 2 14 70 14 EL 16 39 23 14 2 6 55 37 ES 8 32 26 25 1 8 40 51 FR 14 41 27 10 0 8 55 37 HR 10 33 32 19 2 4 43 51 IT 7 32 30 12 8 11 39 42 CY 26 38 20 9 2 5 64 29 LV 10 43 30 11 2 4 53 41 LT 11 48 27 7 1 6 59 34 LU 26 48 11 2 1 12 74 13 HU 19 41 19 15 3 3 60 34 MT 23 47 14 4 2 10 70 18 NL 42 44 8 3 0 3 86 11 AT 32 44 12 3 4 5 76 15 PL 9 49 21 6 2 13 58 27 PT 10 56 11 4 3 16 66 15 RO 9 40 25 19 2 5 49 44 SI 15 42 20 18 2 3 57 38 SK 12 49 21 8 4 6 61 29 FI 49 39 7 2 0 3 88 9 SE 52 35 7 3 0 3 87 10 UK 16 47 17 6 1 13 63 23 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? People voting although they are not entitled to vote (%) 29 34 18 3 45 52 10 28 36 24 2 38 60 BG 20 34 24 13 9 54 37 CZ 17 23 35 18 7 40 53 DK 11 20 38 27 4 31 65 DE 7 19 46 26 2 26 72 EE 5 20 36 28 11 25 64 IE 18 35 33 10 4 53 43 EL 18 33 33 14 2 51 47 Very concerned QB10.1 Tables EU28 16 BE ES 31 30 22 15 2 61 37 FR 17 35 26 18 4 52 44 HR 23 40 23 12 2 63 35 IT 17 32 32 14 5 49 46 CY 12 27 23 33 5 39 56 LV 29 30 21 14 6 59 35 LT 15 37 28 13 7 52 41 LU 12 18 38 26 6 30 64 HU 25 34 24 15 2 59 39 MT 12 39 23 16 10 51 39 NL 5 15 45 32 3 20 77 AT 14 30 33 20 3 44 53 PL 13 34 35 15 3 47 50 PT 8 30 45 13 4 38 58 RO 32 34 21 10 3 66 31 SI 8 20 34 32 6 28 66 SK 5 31 42 16 6 36 58 FI 6 17 51 23 3 23 74 SE 3 10 46 37 4 13 83 UK 22 30 34 10 4 52 44 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? The final result of an election being manipulated (%) 35 29 12 3 56 41 15 39 32 12 2 54 44 BG 32 40 15 7 6 72 22 CZ 29 32 24 12 3 61 36 DK 12 35 33 17 3 47 50 DE 10 26 41 20 3 36 61 EE 9 29 35 19 8 38 54 IE 20 38 29 10 3 58 39 EL 18 36 34 10 2 54 44 Very concerned QB10.2 Tables EU28 21 BE ES 42 32 16 8 2 74 24 FR 21 37 25 14 3 58 39 HR 25 43 21 9 2 68 30 IT 23 42 25 5 5 65 30 CY 13 31 24 28 4 44 52 LV 41 34 13 8 4 75 21 LT 25 47 19 5 4 72 24 LU 18 31 28 17 6 49 45 HU 30 41 18 10 1 71 28 MT 9 33 28 18 12 42 46 NL 6 31 43 19 1 37 62 AT 17 34 33 14 2 51 47 PL 18 38 31 10 3 56 41 PT 12 31 42 11 4 43 53 27 RO 34 36 19 8 3 70 SI 14 32 30 20 4 46 50 SK 7 40 36 11 6 47 47 FI 10 28 44 15 3 38 59 SE 7 31 48 12 2 38 60 UK 26 36 27 8 3 62 35 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? Votes being bought or sold (%) 33 28 13 4 55 41 16 35 30 17 2 51 47 BG 43 38 9 5 5 81 14 CZ 31 32 22 11 4 63 33 DK 15 31 32 18 4 46 50 DE 9 26 40 21 4 35 61 EE 11 34 32 15 8 45 47 IE 20 33 32 11 4 53 43 EL 22 34 27 14 3 56 41 Very concerned QB10.3 Tables EU28 22 BE ES 40 31 18 9 2 71 27 FR 22 35 24 15 4 57 39 HR 25 42 21 10 2 67 31 IT 27 40 22 6 5 67 28 CY 21 35 20 19 5 56 39 LV 45 35 11 6 3 80 17 LT 28 48 17 4 3 76 21 LU 17 27 32 18 6 44 50 HU 27 38 22 11 2 65 33 MT 16 43 20 10 11 59 30 NL 7 33 41 17 2 40 58 AT 16 29 32 20 3 45 52 PL 18 35 30 13 4 53 43 PT 11 31 41 13 4 42 54 RO 34 34 20 10 2 68 30 SI 15 25 31 24 5 40 55 SK 11 45 29 9 6 56 38 FI 9 25 48 15 3 34 63 SE 9 37 40 11 3 46 51 UK 25 31 28 11 5 56 39 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? Elections being manipulated through cyberattacks (%) 37 25 9 5 61 34 18 41 28 11 2 59 39 BG 24 37 18 8 13 61 26 CZ 27 28 26 12 7 55 38 DK 18 40 26 13 3 58 39 DE 18 38 31 9 4 56 40 EE 10 32 31 15 12 42 46 IE 24 40 24 7 5 64 31 EL 17 33 31 10 9 50 41 Very concerned QB10.4 Tables EU28 24 BE ES 41 33 16 7 3 74 23 FR 25 37 22 11 5 62 33 HR 19 35 24 15 7 54 39 IT 24 41 23 6 6 65 29 CY 16 30 26 20 8 46 46 LV 34 31 16 9 10 65 25 LT 21 39 22 8 10 60 30 LU 23 30 26 14 7 53 40 HU 28 36 21 12 3 64 33 MT 15 33 26 9 17 48 35 NL 12 44 33 9 2 56 42 AT 22 37 23 14 4 59 37 PL 18 39 29 10 4 57 39 PT 15 32 36 11 6 47 47 29 RO 30 36 21 8 5 66 SI 13 33 27 21 6 46 48 SK 9 36 36 12 7 45 48 FI 14 39 33 9 5 53 42 SE 10 45 36 7 2 55 43 UK 30 37 22 8 3 67 30 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? People being coerced into voting in a particular way (%) 33 30 14 4 52 44 13 36 33 16 2 49 49 BG 35 37 14 8 6 72 22 CZ 22 25 31 17 5 47 48 DK 17 32 33 14 4 49 47 DE 6 25 42 23 4 31 65 EE 9 27 33 22 9 36 55 IE 22 35 30 10 3 57 40 EL 18 34 32 14 2 52 46 Very concerned QB10.5 Tables EU28 19 BE ES 39 32 18 9 2 71 27 FR 20 38 26 13 3 58 39 HR 24 37 23 14 2 61 37 IT 22 39 26 8 5 61 34 CY 16 33 26 21 4 49 47 LV 37 27 19 11 6 64 30 LT 15 35 28 15 7 50 43 LU 12 29 32 21 6 41 53 HU 24 35 24 16 1 59 40 MT 16 41 22 11 10 57 33 NL 9 36 38 16 1 45 54 AT 15 31 28 22 4 46 50 PL 14 33 35 15 3 47 50 PT 9 30 43 13 5 39 56 31 RO 31 35 21 10 3 66 SI 12 26 32 26 4 38 58 SK 5 36 40 12 7 41 52 FI 10 26 42 19 3 36 61 SE 8 34 45 10 3 42 55 UK 25 35 28 9 3 60 37 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? Foreign actors and criminal groups influencing elections covertly (%) 37 27 10 4 59 37 17 39 28 14 2 56 42 BG 26 39 16 9 10 65 25 CZ 27 26 28 13 6 53 41 DK 16 38 29 14 3 54 43 DE 13 38 33 12 4 51 45 EE 10 25 34 18 13 35 52 IE 22 38 28 8 4 60 36 EL 16 37 31 9 7 53 40 Very concerned QB10.6 Tables EU28 22 BE ES 36 31 19 9 5 67 28 FR 25 36 23 12 4 61 35 HR 21 38 25 13 3 59 38 IT 23 43 24 5 5 66 29 CY 15 34 21 24 6 49 45 LV 39 30 15 9 7 69 24 LT 20 42 22 9 7 62 31 LU 21 29 25 18 7 50 43 HU 28 37 20 13 2 65 33 MT 13 30 27 14 16 43 41 NL 12 47 29 10 2 59 39 AT 18 36 25 17 4 54 42 PL 16 39 30 12 3 55 42 PT 14 30 40 11 5 44 51 32 RO 30 32 23 9 6 62 SI 15 33 27 20 5 48 47 SK 9 39 34 11 7 48 45 FI 10 35 38 14 3 45 52 SE 13 39 38 7 3 52 45 UK 25 39 24 9 3 64 33 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' In the context of elections in Europe, how concerned or not are you about the possibility of each of the following events? Some people voting twice (%) 27 34 18 4 44 52 10 28 37 23 2 38 60 BG 22 34 20 14 10 56 34 CZ 20 21 32 20 7 41 52 Very concerned QB10.7 Tables EU28 17 BE DK 9 16 38 33 4 25 71 DE 6 20 47 24 3 26 71 EE 7 18 29 32 14 25 61 IE 19 32 34 12 3 51 46 EL 16 32 34 16 2 48 50 ES 37 27 19 15 2 64 34 FR 19 33 27 17 4 52 44 HR 22 37 25 13 3 59 38 IT 17 30 31 16 6 47 47 CY 11 22 23 39 5 33 62 LV 30 26 22 15 7 56 37 LT 15 32 28 17 8 47 45 LU 13 17 35 29 6 30 64 HU 20 32 26 18 4 52 44 MT 11 32 28 18 11 43 46 NL 5 17 48 28 2 22 76 AT 14 33 29 21 3 47 50 PL 13 33 36 15 3 46 51 PT 9 27 45 15 4 36 60 RO 33 29 24 11 3 62 35 SI 8 19 31 35 7 27 66 SK 5 26 45 17 7 31 62 FI 6 14 48 29 3 20 77 SE 2 9 48 38 3 11 86 UK 23 25 34 14 4 48 48 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Tables QB11 During election periods, do you follow or participate in online discussions of political topics on online social networks (e.g. responding to posts or sharing content)? (%) Total 'Yes' 25 Don't know 7 You are not active on online social networks/ You don't use online social networks (SPONTANEOUS) EU28 No, you do not follow or participate in this type of online debates Yes, you follow this type of online debates but in a passive way by reading or listening to it (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Yes, you follow this type of online debates and contribute to these debates 59 8 1 32 BE 5 28 66 1 0 33 BG 5 16 65 11 3 21 CZ 6 27 63 4 0 33 DK 8 32 51 9 0 40 DE 6 28 43 21 2 34 EE 7 40 45 7 1 47 IE 12 18 62 6 2 30 EL 9 24 61 6 0 33 ES 7 21 64 8 0 28 FR 5 15 74 5 1 20 HR 6 24 64 6 0 30 IT 6 28 56 8 2 34 CY 8 10 75 6 1 18 LV 6 41 49 3 1 47 LT 6 25 59 8 2 31 LU 11 25 54 8 2 36 HU 8 30 57 4 1 38 MT 11 29 50 8 2 40 NL 4 44 50 2 0 48 AT 14 30 46 7 3 44 PL 7 28 55 7 3 35 PT 5 13 73 8 1 18 RO 7 22 61 8 2 29 SI 5 25 58 12 0 30 SK 4 28 54 8 6 32 FI 9 44 44 2 1 53 SE 13 40 45 2 0 53 UK 11 19 67 2 1 30 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Tables QB12 What prevents you from actively participating in these types of online debates? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) (%) (IF 'TO THOSE WHO DO NOT ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE', CODE 2,3 OU 4 IN QB11) You think it's not useful for you You don't feel comfortable expressing your political beliefs online You think it has no impact, it's a waste of time The language and tone used in these online debates are often violent or hateful You think your comments would be censored by the online social network You think that these online debates are poorly moderated or not moderated enough You think that these online debates are dominated by certain groups of the population You don't trust online social networks Other (SPONTANEOUS) Don't know EU28 34 21 26 18 6 12 16 28 6 3 BE 40 20 30 19 10 15 11 20 4 1 BG 32 19 35 12 7 5 12 18 6 4 CZ 35 12 37 13 8 5 22 23 6 2 DK 32 27 29 37 2 10 23 25 9 3 DE 32 23 21 19 6 14 12 30 5 5 EE 21 13 40 12 5 3 14 25 11 4 3 IE 32 23 25 11 9 15 18 32 3 EL 38 32 34 12 10 18 28 35 4 0 ES 35 17 18 8 3 10 13 35 11 5 FR 39 15 26 23 5 12 14 41 6 2 HR 35 21 41 20 6 8 19 20 2 1 IT 26 33 22 18 9 12 19 26 2 2 CY 43 26 38 12 6 11 14 35 4 0 LV 30 12 41 12 6 7 12 20 14 2 LT 40 6 46 8 6 8 17 18 8 2 LU 35 19 24 21 4 11 17 28 13 4 HU 18 15 42 21 14 14 19 26 5 1 MT 45 27 27 21 3 9 14 22 7 5 NL 32 15 37 25 2 14 25 15 15 2 AT 24 24 35 31 17 21 21 23 9 3 PL 30 17 26 20 11 11 14 20 5 5 PT 55 17 23 12 4 10 15 24 3 1 RO 29 20 21 16 11 13 14 27 4 3 SI 40 4 40 14 3 10 12 25 8 2 SK 28 16 29 12 10 6 18 25 4 6 FI 53 28 32 17 5 8 20 16 6 3 SE 39 29 28 41 3 14 11 29 8 2 UK 35 18 30 12 4 13 19 25 7 2 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' Turning now to the pre-election period, whether at the local, national or European level. How concerned or not are you about the following issues related to the use of the Internet and of online social networks? The personal data people leave on the Internet is used to target the political messages they see, undermining free and fair competition between all political parties (%) (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) EU28 26 41 21 7 5 67 28 BE 21 45 27 6 1 66 33 BG 24 43 17 7 9 67 24 Very concerned QB13.1 Tables CZ 24 33 25 12 6 57 37 DK 18 42 24 12 4 60 36 DE 21 42 25 5 7 63 30 EE 13 35 27 12 13 48 39 IE 36 43 12 5 4 79 17 EL 30 46 18 3 3 76 21 ES 36 42 12 5 5 78 17 FR 28 37 20 10 5 65 30 HR 21 44 23 10 2 65 33 IT 24 48 17 7 4 72 24 CY 32 40 12 11 5 72 23 LV 31 36 20 8 5 67 28 LT 25 40 21 5 9 65 26 LU 25 35 20 12 8 60 32 HU 27 48 16 7 2 75 23 MT 30 44 15 5 6 74 20 NL 17 42 29 8 4 59 37 AT 22 46 22 6 4 68 28 PL 23 41 27 6 3 64 33 PT 19 37 32 8 4 56 40 RO 34 37 17 5 7 71 22 SI 20 38 26 11 5 58 37 SK 10 47 27 7 9 57 34 FI 18 36 34 8 4 54 42 SE 20 45 27 6 2 65 33 UK 36 37 16 7 4 73 23 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Not very concerned Not at all concerned Don't know Total 'Concerned' Total 'Not concerned' (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Somewhat concerned Turning now to the pre-election period, whether at the local, national or European level. How concerned or not are you about the following issues related to the use of the Internet and of online social networks? Disinformation and misinformation on the Internet (%) EU28 30 43 17 6 4 73 23 Very concerned QB13.2 Tables BE 22 48 23 6 1 70 29 BG 21 39 22 9 9 60 31 CZ 25 37 22 12 4 62 34 DK 23 43 22 9 3 66 31 DE 24 48 19 4 5 72 23 EE 16 40 25 9 10 56 34 IE 40 41 10 5 4 81 15 EL 32 52 14 2 0 84 16 ES 42 42 9 4 3 84 13 FR 34 40 14 8 4 74 22 HR 20 43 26 10 1 63 36 IT 27 48 17 5 3 75 22 CY 35 40 10 11 4 75 21 LV 39 35 14 8 4 74 22 LT 24 42 20 5 9 66 25 LU 31 37 13 11 8 68 24 HU 35 44 14 5 2 79 19 MT 26 51 13 4 6 77 17 NL 22 49 22 5 2 71 27 AT 27 47 18 5 3 74 23 PL 23 43 23 8 3 66 31 PT 19 38 32 8 3 57 40 RO 32 41 17 5 5 73 22 SI 26 38 23 11 2 64 34 SK 15 47 25 6 7 62 31 FI 24 43 26 4 3 67 30 SE 29 48 18 3 2 77 21 UK 39 36 15 6 4 75 21 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 29 Total 'Not concerned' 36 Total 'Concerned' 19 Don't know EU28 Not at all concerned Not very concerned (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Somewhat concerned Turning now to the pre-election period, whether at the local, national or European level. How concerned or not are you about the following issues related to the use of the Internet and of online social networks? Restrictions and censorship of political debates on online social networks (%) Very concerned QB13.3 Tables 10 6 55 39 BE 15 39 36 9 1 54 45 BG 15 34 24 12 15 49 36 CZ 21 31 26 15 7 52 41 DK 10 32 35 18 5 42 53 DE 14 34 35 9 8 48 44 EE 8 26 36 16 14 34 52 IE 28 42 17 7 6 70 24 EL 19 45 27 7 2 64 34 ES 29 40 18 9 4 69 27 FR 19 32 28 13 8 51 41 HR 15 39 30 14 2 54 44 IT 19 40 28 8 5 59 36 CY 22 45 16 12 5 67 28 LV 17 33 29 15 6 50 44 LT 15 37 27 10 11 52 37 LU 16 30 28 15 11 46 43 HU 25 43 21 9 2 68 30 MT 18 47 19 7 9 65 26 NL 10 32 42 12 4 42 54 AT 19 36 32 8 5 55 40 PL 17 42 31 7 3 59 38 PT 15 34 37 10 4 49 47 RO 31 37 20 7 5 68 27 SI 17 33 30 15 5 50 45 SK 12 41 30 9 8 53 39 FI 11 35 42 8 4 46 50 SE 11 32 42 11 4 43 53 UK 23 37 27 8 5 60 35 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Tables QB14 In a pre-election period, traditional media usually have to observe a number of rules, such as observing silence periods just before the elections, ensuring equal campaigning time for the different candidates or strict rules on funding for the campaign. Do you think that these rules should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them? (%) Yes, to some extent No, not really No, not at all Don't know Total 'Yes' Total 'No' (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) EU28 43 33 12 6 6 76 18 BE 38 36 22 3 1 74 25 BG 37 35 9 4 15 72 13 CZ 36 34 16 8 6 70 24 DK 47 27 12 8 6 74 20 DE 50 25 9 6 10 75 15 EE 38 38 9 4 11 76 13 Yes, definitely IE 52 32 8 2 6 84 10 EL 48 35 11 4 2 83 15 ES 46 29 10 7 8 75 17 FR 44 30 13 9 4 74 22 HR 48 35 10 4 3 83 14 IT 38 38 16 3 5 76 19 CY 55 27 7 2 9 82 9 LV 45 33 11 5 6 78 16 LT 42 33 11 3 11 75 14 LU 42 31 13 4 10 73 17 HU 45 39 11 3 2 84 14 MT 43 37 6 8 6 80 14 NL 47 30 13 7 3 77 20 AT 34 37 17 5 7 71 22 PL 34 44 11 3 8 78 14 PT 29 52 9 3 7 81 12 RO 30 46 12 7 5 76 19 SI 57 28 7 4 4 85 11 SK 43 35 11 8 3 78 19 FI 36 40 14 4 6 76 18 SE 34 29 18 15 4 63 33 UK 47 32 10 4 7 79 14 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 9 BE 36 45 12 BG 53 28 6 Total 'Opposed' 35 Total 'In favour' 45 Don't know EU28 Strongly opposed Somewhat opposed (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Somewhat in favour In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? Transparency of online social networks and other Internet platforms about the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups and about the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups (%) Strongly in favour QB15.1 Tables 3 8 80 12 4 3 81 16 2 11 81 8 CZ 41 39 11 2 7 80 13 DK 55 29 8 3 5 84 11 DE 56 29 6 2 7 85 8 EE 33 38 6 3 20 71 9 IE 50 37 5 1 7 87 6 EL 55 36 6 1 2 91 7 ES 48 33 8 3 8 81 11 FR 41 33 10 5 11 74 15 HR 52 35 9 2 2 87 11 IT 37 42 12 3 6 79 15 CY 40 32 8 6 14 72 14 LV 43 32 10 3 12 75 13 LT 23 44 14 3 16 67 17 LU 35 38 8 3 16 73 11 16 HU 38 41 13 3 5 79 MT 30 51 6 2 11 81 8 NL 56 28 7 2 7 84 9 AT 42 38 11 3 6 80 14 PL 33 45 10 5 7 78 15 PT 33 50 7 3 7 83 10 RO 37 36 16 5 6 73 21 SI 33 37 14 5 11 70 19 SK 36 40 10 4 10 76 14 FI 47 32 9 2 10 79 11 SE 63 22 5 3 7 85 8 UK 48 31 8 2 11 79 10 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 8 Total 'Opposed' 35 Total 'In favour' 46 Don't know Somewhat opposed EU28 Strongly opposed Somewhat in favour In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? Transparency of online social networks and other Internet platforms to make clear what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them (%) (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Strongly in favour QB15.2 Tables 3 8 81 11 BE 35 46 13 3 3 81 16 BG 52 31 5 1 11 83 6 CZ 45 37 8 3 7 82 11 DK 59 25 9 2 5 84 11 DE 58 29 5 1 7 87 6 EE 36 39 4 2 19 75 6 IE 48 38 4 2 8 86 6 EL 57 35 5 2 1 92 7 ES 49 35 6 3 7 84 9 FR 39 34 11 4 12 73 15 HR 52 36 8 2 2 88 10 IT 37 42 13 2 6 79 15 CY 41 33 6 6 14 74 12 LV 46 34 7 3 10 80 10 LT 24 46 13 2 15 70 15 LU 36 39 9 3 13 75 12 HU 41 39 12 3 5 80 15 MT 28 55 5 1 11 83 6 NL 59 27 7 2 5 86 9 AT 44 37 10 3 6 81 13 PL 35 45 10 4 6 80 14 PT 34 50 6 3 7 84 9 RO 36 37 14 6 7 73 20 SI 35 37 12 5 11 72 17 SK 36 40 10 4 10 76 14 FI 55 28 5 2 10 83 7 SE 71 18 5 1 5 89 6 UK 47 33 7 2 11 80 9 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 9 Total 'Opposed' 37 Total 'In favour' 44 Don't know Somewhat opposed EU28 Strongly opposed Somewhat in favour In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? Equal opportunity for all political parties to access online services to compete for voters' attention (e.g. that online platforms do not discriminate against particular parties or offer special rates to other ones) (%) (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Strongly in favour QB15.3 Tables 3 7 81 12 BE 32 50 11 5 2 82 16 BG 52 30 6 1 11 82 7 CZ 48 37 8 2 5 85 10 DK 60 26 5 4 5 86 9 DE 52 32 8 1 7 84 9 EE 36 39 5 2 18 75 7 IE 47 38 5 1 9 85 6 EL 57 36 4 2 1 93 6 ES 49 36 5 2 8 85 7 FR 34 39 11 6 10 73 17 HR 51 34 10 3 2 85 13 IT 35 43 13 3 6 78 16 CY 42 32 8 4 14 74 12 LV 45 33 9 3 10 78 12 LT 27 47 10 1 15 74 11 LU 34 39 9 4 14 73 13 HU 44 38 10 4 4 82 14 MT 30 53 5 2 10 83 7 NL 62 28 4 1 5 90 5 AT 44 35 10 3 8 79 13 PL 33 49 8 4 6 82 12 PT 34 50 5 4 7 84 9 RO 39 34 16 6 5 73 22 SI 39 37 11 3 10 76 14 SK 39 39 10 3 9 78 13 FI 51 33 5 2 9 84 7 SE 60 23 7 3 7 83 10 UK 45 36 6 2 11 81 8 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 10 Total 'Opposed' 40 Total 'In favour' 39 Don't know EU28 Strongly opposed Somewhat opposed (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Somewhat in favour In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? The right of reply for candidates or political parties on online social networks (%) Strongly in favour QB15.4 Tables 3 8 79 13 15 BE 32 51 10 5 2 83 BG 50 32 5 1 12 82 6 CZ 41 42 8 3 6 83 11 DK 66 21 5 3 5 87 8 DE 47 36 7 2 8 83 9 EE 35 40 5 2 18 75 7 IE 43 42 4 2 9 85 6 EL 42 45 8 3 2 87 11 ES 41 40 7 3 9 81 10 FR 31 42 11 5 11 73 16 HR 50 36 10 2 2 86 12 IT 31 45 17 2 5 76 19 CY 41 32 10 5 12 73 15 LV 42 37 7 4 10 79 11 LT 23 51 10 1 15 74 11 LU 33 43 8 3 13 76 11 HU 36 43 11 5 5 79 16 MT 36 48 6 0 10 84 6 NL 44 40 7 2 7 84 9 AT 40 36 12 4 8 76 16 PL 30 51 8 5 6 81 13 PT 31 48 12 3 6 79 15 RO 40 34 16 5 5 74 21 SI 35 38 12 5 10 73 17 SK 37 39 10 3 11 76 13 FI 46 39 5 1 9 85 6 SE 62 26 5 2 5 88 7 UK 40 38 8 2 12 78 10 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 11 Total 'Opposed' 40 Total 'In favour' 36 Don't know Somewhat opposed EU28 Strongly opposed Somewhat in favour In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? Publication of campaign-related opinion polls only if accompanied by sufficient technical information (%) (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Strongly in favour QB15.5 Tables 4 9 76 15 BE 29 49 14 5 3 78 19 BG 46 34 6 3 11 80 9 12 CZ 42 40 9 3 6 82 DK 50 29 11 4 6 79 15 DE 36 38 11 2 13 74 13 EE 24 44 7 2 23 68 9 IE 44 41 5 1 9 85 6 EL 48 40 7 3 2 88 10 ES 42 38 8 3 9 80 11 FR 30 42 12 6 10 72 18 HR 49 37 9 3 2 86 12 IT 31 45 15 4 5 76 19 CY 46 28 10 5 11 74 15 LV 40 40 6 2 12 80 8 LT 21 51 10 1 17 72 11 LU 27 42 12 4 15 69 16 HU 37 40 13 4 6 77 17 MT 28 52 6 2 12 80 8 NL 39 42 8 3 8 81 11 AT 33 37 15 6 9 70 21 PL 33 48 8 5 6 81 13 PT 32 51 9 2 6 83 11 RO 34 36 19 6 5 70 25 SI 33 41 11 5 10 74 16 SK 37 41 8 4 10 78 12 FI 37 39 9 3 12 76 12 SE 52 32 5 1 10 84 6 UK 41 35 10 1 13 76 11 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 12 BE 33 46 14 BG 43 28 10 Total 'Opposed' 34 Total 'In favour' 40 Don't know Somewhat opposed EU28 Strongly opposed Somewhat in favour In more details, are you in favour or opposed to the application of each of the following principles to online social networks, Internet platforms and actors using them during election periods? Introduction on online social networks of the same strict silence period ("days of reflection") that is required for the other media (%) (IF 'INTERNET USERS', CODE 1 TO 5 IN D62.1 TO D62.4) Strongly in favour QB15.6 Tables 5 9 74 17 4 3 79 18 4 15 71 14 18 CZ 41 32 12 6 9 73 DK 52 24 11 6 7 76 17 DE 47 28 11 4 10 75 15 EE 30 38 10 2 20 68 12 IE 43 40 6 2 9 83 8 EL 43 37 13 4 3 80 17 ES 43 35 7 5 10 78 12 FR 40 33 10 6 11 73 16 HR 54 33 9 2 2 87 11 IT 36 38 17 4 5 74 21 CY 45 28 8 5 14 73 13 LV 46 31 8 3 12 77 11 LT 31 43 10 2 14 74 12 LU 34 35 12 4 15 69 16 HU 43 37 11 5 4 80 16 MT 30 49 8 3 10 79 11 NL 42 30 14 7 7 72 21 AT 32 35 17 5 11 67 22 PL 33 43 13 5 6 76 18 PT 31 45 11 6 7 76 17 RO 35 34 18 6 7 69 24 SI 42 32 11 5 10 74 16 SK 40 35 11 4 10 75 15 FI 29 35 14 7 15 64 21 SE 32 26 14 18 10 58 32 UK 40 35 10 2 13 75 12 5 Democracy and elections Special Eurobarometer 477 September 2018 Tables Somewhat important Not very important Not at all important Don't know Total 'Important' Total 'Not important' Very important QB16 How important is the role of civil society (associations, NGOs) in promoting and protecting democracy and common values, including in terms of fostering a well-informed and pluralistic democratic debate? (%) EU28 32 44 10 3 11 76 13 BE 23 57 14 3 3 80 17 BG 34 35 7 3 21 69 10 CZ 20 40 18 8 14 60 26 DK 53 33 6 0 8 86 6 DE 43 40 5 2 10 83 7 EE 31 48 9 1 11 79 10 IE 41 41 4 1 13 82 5 EL 18 39 21 11 11 57 32 ES 29 47 10 3 11 76 13 FR 29 47 12 4 8 76 16 HR 20 47 16 6 11 67 22 IT 20 44 14 6 16 64 20 CY 52 26 5 3 14 78 8 LV 19 46 16 4 15 65 20 LT 24 49 9 2 16 73 11 LU 32 44 10 4 10 76 14 HU 26 51 11 6 6 77 17 MT 39 44 5 2 10 83 7 NL 39 46 10 1 4 85 11 AT 29 45 12 4 10 74 16 PL 32 52 7 0 9 84 7 PT 18 65 4 2 11 83 6 RO 22 41 18 7 12 63 25 SI 35 38 14 5 8 73 19 SK 17 45 18 7 13 62 25 FI 33 51 10 0 6 84 10 SE 67 28 3 1 1 95 4 UK 38 39 8 2 13 77 10 5