Meerderheid Hongaren heeft vertrouwen in Hongaars voorzitterschap (en)

If asked to vote today, more than two thirds of Hungarians would vote in favour of joining the EU, and most people are confident that the presidency i will enhance Hungary’s image abroad. However, according to a survey by Policy Solutions and the Medián Institute carried out one and a half months before the start of the Hungarian presidency, only 50 percent of people were aware of the fact that Hungary was to take over the presidency for the first semester of 2011.

More than six years after Hungary’s accession to the EU, it is clear that people are still in favour of it. According to a joint survey by two Hungarian institutes--Policy Solutions, a political research and consultancy institute, and Medián, a public opinion poll--if people were asked to vote on accession today, 69 percent would be in favour. It is, however, worth noting that since April 2003 scepticism has been increasing: then, almost 84 percent of voters were in favour of accession to the EU, with only 16 percent against; today, however, almost a quarter of voters would say no to EU accession.

A positive opinion of EU accession was most prevalent in the 18-29 and 30-39 age groups (76 percent), but less so in the over-50 age group (around 63 percent). The strongest opposition to Hungary’s EU membership was found among agricultural sector workers, with only 58 percent saying they would be in favour of accession if a referendum were held today. In contrast, students are far and away the most optimistic group, with 83 percent being in favour.

Most Hungarians (76 percent) think it is important that Hungary will take over the presidency of the EU Council for six months starting on 1 January 2011. Opinion is divided, however, on what effect the Hungarian presidency will have on the country’s image abroad. According to the survey, due to confident voters of Fidesz (the ruling party), 51 percent of people believe that Hungary’s image will improve. Opposition voters, however, are more pessimistic, believing that the way Hungary is viewed abroad will not change or that it will deteriorate.

In spite of the fact that the Union and Hungary’s accession to it are favourably viewed by the public, in mid-November only 45 percent of respondents were aware that Hungary would be “in charge” of the EU during the first semester of 2011. It should be noted that the government only started increasing its presidency-related communications in December.

Awareness among Hungarians varies according to level of education. Almost 70 percent of people with a higher education are aware of the presidency, while among those who did not complete secondary education, this figure is only 34 percent.