Eurobarometer

By creating the Eurobarometer, it is possible to know in detail what the action priorities of the Community institutions are, taking into account the data provided by the representative citizens consulted in the survey.

Before its creation, the different European institutions carried out different measurements and consultations with the population. However, since 2007 this tool began to be developed regularly, its preparation and implementation falling on the European Parliament. Alternatively its funding falls on the European Commission.

The main basis of its existence is to measure the extent to which Europeans want the Community powers to act in day-to-day economic and legislative activity. These surveys usually take place twice a year and their conclusions are studied and debated by the parliament with a view to designing future strategies.

It is also common for additional and more specific surveys to be carried out on behalf of a Union institution. Of course, in case the need arises to obtain certain data from the population. The most common is that they are developed over the phone.

Main utility of the Eurobarometer

In this way, the European Parliament has the possibility to define its action measures based on the results shown by the Eurobarometer and, therefore, on the opinion of the European inhabitants.

The main issues collected in the barometer do not only respond to political or economic nuances. The Eurobarometer also focuses on the opinion of the European citizen on other points. Examples of them are the environment or the demographic advance of the population with influencing factors such as immigration.

Another important advantage that this measurement represents is to offer the existing opinion on the own work of the European Parliament, its influence in the community life and the mere fact of belonging to the Union on the part of each community member.

Surveys carried out within the Eurobarometer

Different consultations are periodically launched from the European Parliament:

• Thematic surveys: Focused on the themes described above and of a very diverse nature. General consultations can be held in all member states or directed to certain age, gender or social class ranges.
• Parameter: It is carried out annually in all member countries and focuses on knowing their impressions on the work of the parliament itself.In the same way, it tries to measure the degree of affinity and feeling of belonging between the European citizen and the different community institutions .
• Flash Eurobarometer: These are telephone calls to citizens for a more specific issue. In such a way that it is possible to obtain conclusions on a certain subject in a shorter term.