Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Get in touch with us nowNextGenerationEU: public opinion on different aspects of recovery plans in EU states
As Europe attempts to mount an economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NextGenerationEU recovery plan is set to be a key mechanism in helping EU member states to invest in key strategic areas. The recovery packages are comprised of new debt financed collectively at the EU-level, which is then distributed to member states based on their needs. The focus of the packages are on areas such as green energy, sustainable development, and digitalization policies which assist EU member states in boosting their long-term growth.
Public opinion is very much in favor of the NextGenEU plans, with on average 82 percent of respondents saying the plans will ensure the revitalization of the EU. There is a notable divide between member states who have stronger public finances and have experienced fewer economic and political crises over the past decade, and those states who have experienced severe economic and political disruption since the global financial crisis and Eurozone crisis.
Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, three countries who have fared well economically over the past decade, all are more positive about their own country's ability to reap the benefits of the NGEU plans than they are about the plans in general. On the other hand, Belgium, France, Greece, and Italy are all strongly positive about the overall impact of NGEU, while remaining skeptical about their country's ability to reap its benefits. This is likely due to the instability in these countries' politics and economies since the Eurozone crisis, with Greece in particular being the most troubled of all EU members over the past decade.
Public opinion is very much in favor of the NextGenEU plans, with on average 82 percent of respondents saying the plans will ensure the revitalization of the EU. There is a notable divide between member states who have stronger public finances and have experienced fewer economic and political crises over the past decade, and those states who have experienced severe economic and political disruption since the global financial crisis and Eurozone crisis.
Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, three countries who have fared well economically over the past decade, all are more positive about their own country's ability to reap the benefits of the NGEU plans than they are about the plans in general. On the other hand, Belgium, France, Greece, and Italy are all strongly positive about the overall impact of NGEU, while remaining skeptical about their country's ability to reap its benefits. This is likely due to the instability in these countries' politics and economies since the Eurozone crisis, with Greece in particular being the most troubled of all EU members over the past decade.
