Britons, often seen as deeply skeptical of the benefits of EU membership, are in fact split right down the middle — 46 percent to 46 percent — over whether to leave the union or stay in it.
Yet, for all the protests against cuts, a majority in five of the eight countries thinks the best way to solve their economic problems is by cutting government spending.
The median number of people with a favorable view of the EU plummeted from 60 percent to 45 percent over the last year.
Bruce Stokes, the poll's principal author, told The Associated Press that the EU's declining support is linked to the poor economy and could turn around if growth were to return.
[...] Merkel, seen by many as the iron lady of austerity, would win no elections in Greece, where 88 percent of those surveyed think she's done a bad job — a view shared by 57 percent of Spaniards and half of those surveyed in Italy.
The change in mood since 2007, before the global financial crisis began, is striking.
Even in the face of grinding austerity, the public in most of the countries, pressed to choose between reducing public spending and spending more, would rather cut.
Across Europe, a median of 59 percent think shrinking public debt is the best way to solve their country's economic problems.
[...] a median of only 17 percent think debt reduction should be their government's top economic priority.
[...] more than 60 percent of people in each of the five euro countries want to keep the euro rather than switch back to their former currencies.
Yet, for all the protests against cuts, a majority in five of the eight countries thinks the best way to solve their economic problems is by cutting government spending.
The median number of people with a favorable view of the EU plummeted from 60 percent to 45 percent over the last year.
Bruce Stokes, the poll's principal author, told The Associated Press that the EU's declining support is linked to the poor economy and could turn around if growth were to return.
[...] Merkel, seen by many as the iron lady of austerity, would win no elections in Greece, where 88 percent of those surveyed think she's done a bad job — a view shared by 57 percent of Spaniards and half of those surveyed in Italy.
The change in mood since 2007, before the global financial crisis began, is striking.
Even in the face of grinding austerity, the public in most of the countries, pressed to choose between reducing public spending and spending more, would rather cut.
Across Europe, a median of 59 percent think shrinking public debt is the best way to solve their country's economic problems.
[...] a median of only 17 percent think debt reduction should be their government's top economic priority.
[...] more than 60 percent of people in each of the five euro countries want to keep the euro rather than switch back to their former currencies.
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