Research led by the former Secretary General of NATO has revealed that concern about immigration and terrorism is on the rise in Europe, while the priority of “fighting climate change” is declining among voters. The Alliance of Democracies Foundation (ADF) conducted a global survey of 63,000 people in 53 countries, uncovering various trends such as decreasing interest in the Ukraine war, worries about democracy being undermined by global corporations, and the belief that governments primarily serve a small elite rather than the majority.
The ADF’s Democracy Perception Index report highlights that many European countries are experiencing a significant increase in the number of people who believe that “reducing immigration” should be a top government priority. Conversely, the interest in addressing climate change is decreasing. While only 16 percent of people worldwide view reducing immigration as a priority, this percentage is trending towards 50 percent in certain European states. In Europe, reducing immigration has surpassed fighting climate change as a priority and is expected to surpass promoting economic growth by 2025, with only reducing poverty ranking higher in importance among European voters.
The findings of the report suggest a shift in public opinion towards prioritizing immigration control over economic growth, despite previous assertions by Western governments that high levels of immigration contribute to economic prosperity. European countries such as Germany, Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom are at the forefront of prioritizing reducing immigration as a key government concern. Additionally, concerns about terrorism are also increasing in Europe, particularly in France.
The study raises concerns for the German government, which has focused on encouraging migration and implementing environmental policies despite growing public support for tighter immigration control. The disconnect between government priorities and public opinion is evident, with polling showing a decrease in support for the current government coalition in Germany. The upcoming European Parliament elections are expected to see a surge in support for populist-right parties, causing unease among the globalist-centrist establishment in Brussels.
