Attitudes of Elites and Population towards the EU Development: Lithuanian Population Survey, January - February 2016

The purpose of the study: to explore the attitudes of Lithuanian population towards the development of European identity and citizenship in the context of EU change and enlargement. Major investigated questions: respondents were asked whether they support Lithuania's membership in the EU and how membership in this organisation brings benefits and disadvantages to Lithuania. They were asked whether they voted in the European Parliament elections and whether they often watch TV, listen to the radio or read daily newspapers to find out about political news. Next, they were asked to rate the influence of different people on important national issues (ordinary citizen; Member of the European Parliament - 11 choices in total). The survey went on to analyse whether it is more important to grow a competitive European economy within global markets or to ensure better social protection for all its citizens. They were asked to reveal the extent to which they associate themselves with their region, their country or Europe (EU). Given the block of questions, they were asked what it means to be Lithuanian (to be Christian; to follow Lithuanian cultural traditions - 8 choices in total). Given the list of threats, they were asked to rate the risk those threats pose to the EU (non-EU immigrants; EU expansion by including Turkey - 5 choices in total). Respondents had the opportunity to assess European unification and to indicate what it means to be European (being a Christian; following the European cultural traditions - 8 choices in total). Then, trust in the EU and in the ability of Lithuanian institutions to take the right decisions was assessed. The aim was to find out whether respondents felt that decision-makers at the EU level did not take Lithuania's interests into account sufficiently, and whether the interests of some EU Member States were given too much weight. The survey went on to analyse whether different policy areas should be dealt with at the national level or EU level (fight against unemployment; immigration policy [from non-EU countries] - 8 choices in total). Given the next set of questions, respondents were asked what the EU will look like in 10 years (unified EU tax system; mutual social security system - 4 choices in total). Next, they were asked how satisfied they are with the way democracy works in the EU and Lithuania. The survey went on to analyse whether the European Commission should be politically accountable to the European Parliament. Given another block of statements, respondents were asked whether or not different EU policies pose a risk to Lithuania (5 choices in total). Next, the survey went on to assess whether the redistribution of resources between EU Member States to protect the single currency is fair. Respondents were asked whether there should be a mutual EU army or whether each EU Member State should have its national army, and which institution is best suited to take care of Europe's security. Respondents were asked whether they were personally content with the introduction of the euro in Lithuania in 2015 and to describe their political views on a left-right scale. While having the future of the EU in mind, respondents were asked what the EU economy, the economic disparities between EU member states, the social disparities between EU citizens, the importance of the EU as a geopolitical power in the world and what the EU politically will be like in 10 years. The survey was concluded by asking whether or not Lithuania has benefited from EU membership. Socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age, nationality, education, marital status, occupation, income per household member per month, place of residence, lived, worked, studied abroad, religion, frequency of participation in religious services.