Latvian citizens expect the European Parliament (EP) to focus primarily on healthcare issues, while citizens of other European Union (EU) countries see combating the cost of living as the top priority, according to the latest Eurobarometer public opinion survey.
In Latvia, 40% of respondents highlighted healthcare as their preferred priority for the EP’s work, while 39% said that it should support the economy and create new jobs, 39% said that it should combat rising prices and high costs, 38% said that it should combat poverty and social exclusion, and 32% – that it should tackle defence and security issues.
These issues were also rated as important by respondents in other EU countries, but the order of priorities differed. Across the EU, citizens highlighted the following as key areas for the EP: combating rising prices and the cost of living – 43%, fighting poverty and social exclusion – 31%, defence and security – 31%, support for the economy and job creation – 29%, healthcare – 25%
On other issues, Latvian opinions diverged significantly from the EU average.
For example, migration issues were highlighted as a priority problem by 22% of respondents in the EU as a whole and only 8% in Latvia, the fight against climate change by 21% of respondents in the EU as a whole and only 4% in Latvia, the fight against terrorism and organised crime by 20% of respondents in the EU and only 8% in Latvia, and strengthening democracy and the rule of law by 20% of respondents in the EU and 11% in Latvia.
Among all the offered choices, gender equality and inclusion ranked lowest for Latvian respondents, with just 2% considering it a priority, compared to 11% across the EU.
The survey was conducted from the 9th to 29th of January, with 1 005 respondents in Latvia aged 15 and older, and a total of 26 354 respondents across the EU.