According to a recent published Eurobarometer poll, public opinion about the EU has improved markedly. While people are still divided on whether or not their voice counts in the EU, 57% of respondents said voting in the next European Parliament elections is the best way to make their voices heard.

The results of the latest Eurobarometer poll done by the European Parliament show that the image of the EU has improved in the eyes of a majority of Europeans: 40% have a favourable opinion of it, compared to 31% in November 2011. An absolute majority of people questioned said that membership of the EU is "a good thing" (50%, +3 points). In a survey published by the European Commission in November 2011, more than a third of European citizens currently working were concerned about losing their jobs.

Respondents to the survey said voting in the next European Parliament elections is the best way to make their voices heard, with a quarter of them already aware that these elections will take place in two years time. Also, a majority of respondents said the European Parliament is the institution that best represents the Union.

Job creation and fighting unemployment scored as the top priority anti-crisis measures for the EU, according to 72% of those who took part in the survey. On the other hand, more than one in two respondents (54%) said they would be more inclined to vote than they are today if each European political party were to put forward a candidate for the post of President of the European Commission, who will be elected by the European Parliament after the 2014 European elections.