Survey: Border protection and the threat of terrorism concern EU citizens most

Irregular migration and the threat of terrorism are currently a greater concern for people in the European Union than other potential threats to peace. This is shown by the results of a representative survey commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation in the 27 member states. Regional differences can be seen. The population in the EU states also perceives the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine as a major threat.

When asked “What is the biggest threat to peace in Europe today?” According to this, around 25 percent of the more than 26,000 participants in the survey said that non-functioning border protection bothered them more than anything else. 21 percent of people in the EU perceive terrorist attacks as the greatest threat, and 19 percent perceive major cyber attacks. According to the information, an attack by a foreign power is perceived as the greatest threat by 18 percent of the EU residents surveyed. 17 percent of them chose the answer option “organized crime”.

Participants from Germany are particularly concerned about the risk of terrorism

The fact that 23 percent of the survey participants based in Germany perceive the risk of terrorism as the greatest threat to peace in Europe may also have something to do with the timing of the survey last September. The memories of the terrorist attack in Solingen were still very fresh. On August 23rd, the Syrian Issa Al H. is said to have killed three people with a knife in Solingen. He was arrested more than 24 hours later. The terrorist militia Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to the survey, 21 percent of people in Germany each consider a lack of border security, infiltration by organized crime and a military attack to be the greatest threat to peace in Europe. 14 percent see the greatest threat in cyberspace.

Poles consider war of aggression to be the greatest threat

In Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia, the fear of war is what particularly concerns people. According to the survey, 29 percent of Poles consider the threat of a military attack to be the greatest threat to peace in Europe. In Spain, which is further away from the theater of war, only 16 percent of those surveyed said this.

Ten percent of Germans see China as their most important ally

According to a survey, in September – and thus before the re-election of Donald Trump as US President – 54 percent of the German population considered the USA to be the EU’s most valuable ally. This value is slightly above the EU-wide average of 51 percent. In Poland, the proportion of those who assign this role to the USA is particularly high at 65 percent, and in Belgium it is significantly lower at 43 percent.

Among US citizens, enthusiasm for Europe is not quite as great as the other way around. When asked who was the USA’s most valuable ally, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation, 27 percent of the approximately 2,500 participants in the survey named Great Britain, followed by the European Union at 25 percent. 13 percent of people in the USA consider Canada to be the most important partner, 12 percent consider Israel.

One in ten residents of Germany and the EU as a whole describe China as their most valuable ally. The West accuses China of supplying Russia with goods that can be used for both civil and military purposes and thus supporting the Russian war economy.

The federal government decided on a comprehensive China strategy for the first time in the summer of 2023. It defines the country, ruled with a heavy hand by the communist leadership, as a partner, competitor and systemic rival. The core of the strategy is to reduce economic dependence on China in order to avoid a rude awakening like the one that occurred when gas supplies were cut off after the Russian attack on Ukraine.