Spain’s 40th birthday in the EU coincides with the debate on the convenience of increasing defense investment to address global challenges. The majority of Catalans share this need and strongly demand a common and coordinated security policy, as reflected in a survey by the Center for Opinion Studies (CEO) of the Generalitat and the Office of the European Parliament in Barcelona prepared from March 23 to April 13 from 1,000 interviews with EU citizens residing in Catalonia.
The poll shows broad support for greater European coordination. 82% of Catalans support the EU having a common security and defense policyalthough only 26% defend a increase in military spending. However, 36% of the surveys are committed to maintaining current investment, which raises to 62% the percentage of citizens who would maintain or increase spending. The remaining 34% are in favor of reducing it to prioritize other policies.
The demand for more military spending resonates, above all, among younger Catalans, with a percentage up to 13 points above the average. 39% of respondents from 18 to 24 years They are in favor of increasing investment, and another 34% believe that the current one should be maintained. Also in the following age group, from 25 to 34 yearsthere is broad support for maintaining or increasing defense spending (74%), while after the age of 35, support is significantly reduced. The variations are also noticeable depending on the place of birth, with a 10-point difference between Catalans born in the rest of Spain or abroad, more in favor of increasing investment, compared to those born in Catalonia, more reluctant.
Beyond what the investment in defense should be, 89% of Catalans are clear that The EU should respond jointly to threats to territorial integrity of member states, and 76% advocate for a active role in diplomacy and international mediationespecially in the Middle East. Regarding the war in Ukraine, support for the sanctions on Russia reaches 74%, while 67% endorse the EU’s support for kyiv. And faced with the questioning of the I’LL TAKE by the president of the United States, Donald Trump62% of those interviewed consider it important that EU member states also be part of the Atlantic Alliance.
Catalans also disagree with Trump about the duty. Six out of 10 citizens (60%) positively value the joint EU response to trade barriers imposed by the US, although one in three (33%) does not agree with the community reaction. Three out of four respondents (74%) support the EU strengthening its economic and trade relations with other regions of the world, especially with China, Indiathe countries of southeast asia and, to a lesser extent, the countries of the Mercosur.
Climate, housing and immigration
The CEO’s study has also asked Catalans about other EU policies. And it is the dwelling which appears to be the priority claim of the Catalans to the EU in view of the next community budget. Among the most demanded measures are promoting the construction and rehabilitation of homesfight against occupation y regulate tourist flats.
As regards the climate changesupport for the goal of reduce emissions to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050. 32% of Catalans believe that this objective should be maintained, 31% demand that efforts be made to achieve it sooner and 26% are committed to making the calendar more flexible and prioritizing the economy. In immigration matters, among Catalans the preference for a coordinated response at European level (33%), combined with a border control demand (30%).
What there is broad support for is reinforcing the regulation of digital platforms, social networks e artificial intelligenceespecially to protect users against illegal content (92%) and to regulate the activity of large platforms (88%). However, three out of four Catalans (76%) warn that this regulation can limit freedom of expression and the right to information. 87% of those surveyed are in favor of limit the minimum age of access to social networks to 16 years throughout the EU.
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