Majority of Austrians Fear Expansion of Russian War of Aggression
The number of those who have "less" (22 percent) or "no" concerns (10 percent) about a spread of the war comprises a good third. Two years ago, 34 percent of respondents believed that the USA was a partner Austria could trust. Currently, this number has more than halved to 15 percent. The proportion of skeptics has risen from 47 to 69 percent since April 2023.
Whom Austria's Citizens Trust
According to the survey, 17 percent of Austrians consider China a partner (April 2023: 12 percent) that can be trusted, but 57 percent (April 2023: 72 percent) do not see it that way. Trust levels for Russia remain in the single digits. 8 percent see Moscow as a trustworthy partner (2023: 9 percent), while 75 percent disagree with this assessment. 22 percent of respondents say that Ukraine is a trustworthy partner for Austria, which is 6 percentage points less than in 2023. 55 percent are skeptical in this regard (April 2023: 50 percent).
The former EU member Great Britain enjoys very high trust levels: Six out of ten respondents (59 percent) see the United Kingdom as a partner for Austria, while one-fifth (21 percent) do not agree.
In this context, 44 percent consider it "very" (22 percent) or "rather important" (22 percent) that the European Union and its member states continue to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression. However, an almost equally high proportion of the population considers this "rather not" (16 percent) or "not important at all" (28 percent). Since the last survey in April 2023, support for aid to Kyiv has decreased by a total of 7 percentage points, while opposition has increased by 8 percentage points.
Sentiments and Opinions on the European Union
An expansion of the EU to include new countries within the next five years does not find a majority in Austria according to the ÖGfE survey. 63 percent are against it, 21 percent would be in favor, and 16 percent have no opinion on it.
42 percent of respondents are in favor of deepening the level of cooperation within the European Union. 18 percent consider the current level to be just right, and 27 percent want less intensive cooperation.
"In times of general uncertainty, where concerns about an expansion of the Russian war of aggression are high, people seek stability, which is also reflected in the desire for stronger cooperation in the EU," analyzed Paul Schmidt, Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics. "The disruptive policies of the US administration have resulted in the transatlantic partnership no longer being seen as a given. The extent of current concerns about the unpredictable course of the USA is also evident in the fact that the People's Republic of China is now considered a partner for Austria to the same extent."
"Europe must come together"
Schmidt sees the British-European relations experiencing a fresh start as positive news. "As the world reorganizes, coming together in Europe is more important than ever." Europe must continue to support Ukraine and brace itself against multidimensional attacks. "Against this backdrop, the security policy dialogue planned by the federal government with the population is also the order of the day," said Schmidt. The perspective of further EU expansion should not be overlooked either. "Connecting our neighbors to the Union leads to more security and stability. A connection that still requires a lot of discussion," said Schmidt.
The current survey was conducted by the market institute from April 23 to 28 on behalf of the ÖGfE. A total of 1000 people aged between 16 and 80 were surveyed online across Austria. The maximum statistical margin of error is 3.16 percent.
(APA/Red.)
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