Finnish EU Attitudes 2001

The survey studies what Finns think about the EU membership and its effects. The respondents were asked how interested they were of matters connected to Finland's membership in the EU, how actively they followed these matters and how well-informed of them they considered themselves to be. They were also asked what kind of policy and development goals Finland should promote as a member of the union. For example, the respondents were asked to comment on whether Finland should concentrate on advancing its own national interests or on issues concerning the whole union. Finns' opinions about the effects of the EU were examined with questions about the standard of living, taxation, social services, the equality between men and women, Finland's relations with foreign countries, public morals, and the status of persons belonging to various socio-economic groups. One theme was EU's enlargement to Eastern and Western Europe and the Baltic Countries. The respondents were asked to evaluate what kind of consequences the enlargement might have. The respondents' attitude towards Finland's membership in NATO under different conditions was canvassed. The conditions mentioned included the Baltic Countries joining NATO, Sweden joining or both the Baltic Countries and Sweden joining. Their opinions about the integration of European Union, that is, increasing the economical and political cooperation and unifying the legislation, were also surveyed. In connection with the euro, the respondents were asked whether they found it easy or difficult to get used to the new currency, whether Finnish identity is affected by the renunciation of the national currency, and whether travel and shopping has become easier. Opinions on the effects of euro on the international economy, or on the sense of togetherness between the citizens of EU countries were also surveyed. Background variables included the respondents' gender, age group, size of municipality of residence, province of residence, level of education, occupational group, industry of employment, membership in a trade union, and which party R would vote for if the parliamentary elections were held at that moment.