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Europeans feel a duty to help refugees – but not in their own countries Europeans feel a duty to help refugees – but not in their own countries
(35 minutes later)
Most voters in western Europe believe the European Union has a duty to help those fleeing war – as long as it is not their country being asked to welcome refugees. Most voters in western Europe believe the European Union has a duty to help those fleeing war – as long as it is not their country being asked to welcome them.
According to a poll carried out by Ifop in seven EU member states, entitled “Europeans face the crisis of migrants”, a majority in each country feel Europe has a duty to help those trying to escape conflict and misery. According to a poll carried out by Ifop in seven EU member states, entitled “Europeans face the migrant crisis”, a majority in each country feel Europe has a duty to help those trying to escape conflict and misery.
But when it comes to welcoming refugees into their own nations, voters in western Europe are divided. But when it comes to welcoming refugees into their own countries, voters in western Europe are divided.
Nearly 80% of Germans and Italians are in favour of plans to relocate tens of thousands of refugees across Europe and for the scheme to include their respective countries, compared with less than half the electorates in the UK, France and the Netherlands. Nearly 80% of Germans and Italians are in favour of plans to relocate tens of thousands of refugees across Europe and for the scheme to include their respective countries, compared with less than half people in the UK, France and the Netherlands.
The poll notes stark differences between left-leaning and right-leaning voters in the different countries.The poll notes stark differences between left-leaning and right-leaning voters in the different countries.
These are particularly evident in France and Denmark, where 70% and 81% of left-leaning voters have a favourable view of the EU’s relocation plans, compared with 29% and 37% respectively of voters on the right.These are particularly evident in France and Denmark, where 70% and 81% of left-leaning voters have a favourable view of the EU’s relocation plans, compared with 29% and 37% respectively of voters on the right.
The survey provides various reasons to explain the contrast in views and the discrepancies between the seven countries.The survey provides various reasons to explain the contrast in views and the discrepancies between the seven countries.
It notes that only a majority in Germany believes welcoming refugees is an opportunity. This compares to roughly a third of voters in Britain, Italy, Denmark and Spain, and a fifth of voters in France and the Netherlands.It notes that only a majority in Germany believes welcoming refugees is an opportunity. This compares to roughly a third of voters in Britain, Italy, Denmark and Spain, and a fifth of voters in France and the Netherlands.
Similarly, only a majority in Germany (69%) and Denmark (53%) feel their country has the economic means necessary to welcome refugees.Similarly, only a majority in Germany (69%) and Denmark (53%) feel their country has the economic means necessary to welcome refugees.
Most voters, with the exception of those in Spain and Germany, believe their respective countries already have too many immigrants and cannot cope with welcoming more.Most voters, with the exception of those in Spain and Germany, believe their respective countries already have too many immigrants and cannot cope with welcoming more.
The poll also finds a strong correlation between people’s attitudes to refugees and perception of the qualifications they hold. Those who believe refugees have poor qualifications and would struggle to integrate take a more negative attitude. The poll also finds a strong correlation between people’s attitudes to immigration and their perception of refugees’ qualifications. Those who believe refugees have poor qualifications and would struggle to integrate take a more negative attitude.
There appears to be a weaker correlation between voter attitudes and the perception the public has of the motivations of refugees. A majority in five of the seven EU member states surveyed – including in countries such as Britain that hold more unwelcoming views – believe that most people arriving are seeking asylum because they are fleeing war or are being persecuted in their countries of origin. There appears to be a weaker correlation between voters’ attitudes and the perception the public has of the motivations of refugees. A majority in five of the seven EU member states surveyed – including in countries such as Britain that hold more unwelcoming views – believe that most people arriving are seeking asylum because they are fleeing war or are being persecuted in their countries of origin.
However, there are also differences along political party lines in this case.However, there are also differences along political party lines in this case.
The same discrepancies are on display in terms of how many refugees the public think their country has taken compared with other nations. The proportion of voters on the right who believe their country has taken more than others is between 11 and 15 points higher compared with the electorate as a whole.The same discrepancies are on display in terms of how many refugees the public think their country has taken compared with other nations. The proportion of voters on the right who believe their country has taken more than others is between 11 and 15 points higher compared with the electorate as a whole.
Conversely, voters on the left, who tend to have more favourable attitudes, are more inclined to believe refugees eventually want to return home, compared with the broader electorate.Conversely, voters on the left, who tend to have more favourable attitudes, are more inclined to believe refugees eventually want to return home, compared with the broader electorate.
There are concerns shared across all seven countries. A majority are worried about the possibility that helping refugees will increase migration from elsewhere.There are concerns shared across all seven countries. A majority are worried about the possibility that helping refugees will increase migration from elsewhere.
And a majority in each state feels there is a risk that potential terrorists may be hiding among the refugees arriving in Europe.And a majority in each state feels there is a risk that potential terrorists may be hiding among the refugees arriving in Europe.
In this case, the figures vary somewhat between the different countries, with 64% in Germany sharing this fear compared with 66% in Denmark, 69% in Spain and France, 79% in Italy, 80% in the UK and 85% in the Netherlands.In this case, the figures vary somewhat between the different countries, with 64% in Germany sharing this fear compared with 66% in Denmark, 69% in Spain and France, 79% in Italy, 80% in the UK and 85% in the Netherlands.
When it comes to what voters are personally doing to help refugees, western Europe is equally split.When it comes to what voters are personally doing to help refugees, western Europe is equally split.
About 40% of people in Spain say they have donated, or intend to donate, to the relief effort, compared with 18% in France.About 40% of people in Spain say they have donated, or intend to donate, to the relief effort, compared with 18% in France.
In Germany, 40% of voters claim to have volunteered their time, against 22% in the UK.In Germany, 40% of voters claim to have volunteered their time, against 22% in the UK.
Although in Spain and Italy, 10% say that they have hosted, or intend to host, a refugee, the figure is 4% in France and the Netherlands.Although in Spain and Italy, 10% say that they have hosted, or intend to host, a refugee, the figure is 4% in France and the Netherlands.
The proportion of people with no intention to donate towards the refugee crisis (82%) is higher compared to disaster relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2013 Philippines typhoon and the earthquake in Nepal. Ifop figures show 50%, 74% and 68% respectively claimed not to have made any donations to these causes. The proportion of people with no intention to donate towards the refugee crisis (82%) is higher compared with disaster relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2013 Philippines typhoon and the earthquake in Nepal this year. Ifop figures show 50%, 74% and 68% respectively claimed not to have made any donations to these causes.
Asked which measures the EU should give priority to in handling the refugee crisis, responses varied between the countries surveyed.Asked which measures the EU should give priority to in handling the refugee crisis, responses varied between the countries surveyed.
Providing development aid and supporting stability in the region was the most mentioned top measure by a majority of Germans, with 55% saying it was the most important. This is a view shared by more than a third of voters in Britain and nearly 30% in France.Providing development aid and supporting stability in the region was the most mentioned top measure by a majority of Germans, with 55% saying it was the most important. This is a view shared by more than a third of voters in Britain and nearly 30% in France.
Aid and stabilising the region was the only measure among those tested that was listed by a majority in all countries surveyed.Aid and stabilising the region was the only measure among those tested that was listed by a majority in all countries surveyed.
A fifth of voters in all the member states except France (12%) believe aid and shelter in the countries of origin should be the primary area of focus.A fifth of voters in all the member states except France (12%) believe aid and shelter in the countries of origin should be the primary area of focus.
There were far greater differences among respondents in terms of prioritising reinforcing border controls to tackle migration: a third of voters in France, 20% in the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark, 15% in Germany and fewer than 10% in Spain said tougher controls were of the upmost importance.There were far greater differences among respondents in terms of prioritising reinforcing border controls to tackle migration: a third of voters in France, 20% in the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark, 15% in Germany and fewer than 10% in Spain said tougher controls were of the upmost importance.
Prioritising military intervention in Syria is supported by nearly 30% of voters in France and Spain, and 12% in Germany.Prioritising military intervention in Syria is supported by nearly 30% of voters in France and Spain, and 12% in Germany.
France is the only country among those surveyed where a majority mentioned military intervention as part of the overall measures that should be taken.France is the only country among those surveyed where a majority mentioned military intervention as part of the overall measures that should be taken.
Methodology: Ifop polled 1000-1100 people online aged 18 or above in France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark. Samples were representative of national populations.Methodology: Ifop polled 1000-1100 people online aged 18 or above in France, Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark. Samples were representative of national populations.