Lietuva Europos Sąjungoje: viešosios nuomonės tyrimų 1997-2007 metų duomenimis
LTPožiūrių į Lietuvos narystę Europos Sąjungoje dinamika gali būti suskirstyta į tris laikotarpius: mažėjantis narystės šalininkų skaičius iki 2000 m. (nepasitikėjimas valstybės institucijomis, informacijos stoka, ekonominės baimės), auganti parama iki referendumo dėl Lietuvos narystės ES 2003 m. gegužę (informacinė kampanija, viltys, kad narystė teigiamai paveiks ekonomiką) ir stabili parama po referendumo ir įstojimo. Pagrindiniai teigiami pokyčiai, remiantis viešąja nuomone, yra galimybės dirbti užsienyje ir sumažėjęs nedarbas. Pagrindinis neigiamas pokytis yra kainų kilimas. Kainų kilimas buvo viena iš pagrindinių skeptiško požiūrio į euro įvedimą priežasčių. Kita vertus, kaip rodo Eurobarometro tyrimai (Europos Komisijos inicijuoti viešosios nuomonės tyrimai Europos Sąjungoje) Lietuva yra viena iš eurooptimistiškiausių šalių: dauguma mato narystės naudą, pasitiki ES institucijomis. Viešosios nuomonės tyrimai ES rodo, kad požiūriai į Lietuvą yra pozityvūs.
ENThe dynamics of the attitudes towards Lithuania’s membership in the EU could be divided into three periods: decreasing number of membership supporters till the beginning of 2000 (at this time eurosceptics prevailed in Lithuania), increasing support till referendum and stable support of membership after referendum and accession. The first period could be characterized as a period of distrust in institutions, lack of information about EU and benefits of membership, time of economic fears (negative consequences for industry, agriculture, rising prices, etc). Typical eurosceptic of that time looked like as lower educated, having lower income, living in rural areas, around 50 years old. This group of people was afraid of new wave of reforms and possibilities to adapt in a new situation. Typical eurooptimist was younger, better educated, having better incomes, living in big towns. This group expected to get better possibilities in modern Europe. The second period could be characterized by an increasing flow of information about EU and membership, and growing beliefs that membership will help to improve economic situation. During euroreferendum eurooptimistic moods prevailed – 91% of voters voted for the membership of Lithuania in the EU. Support for membership after accession stayed at the high level, i.e. people did not disappoint. The fact that people did not expect rapid positive changes in their life is one of the reasons, which can explain this situation. Firstly, people believed in positive impact of membership on their children’s life in the future, secondly they expected improvement of the Lithuanian people’s life and only on the third place come the expectation that their own life will be better. Another reason, which explains the high support level of membership, is positive changes in Lithuania observed by population: possibilities to work abroad and reduced unemployment.Some other positive changes were noticed by population: possibilities for export, development of economy, national security, situation of the youth, general level of living, situation in agriculture, social security. People noticed negative changes in economic life as well – a rise of prices. Rise of prices was the main reason of sceptical attitudes towards euro introduction. Compared to the other EU countries Lithuanian public opinion could be characterized as more positive than average towards different realities of the EU (Eurobarometers): evaluation of the benefits of the membership, attitude to wards European Constitution, trust in European institutions. A remarkable feature of Lithuanian public opinion mood till 2007 was optimism towards the future. On the other hand, evaluation of the current realities was quite pessimistic compared to other countries: low happiness of life, stressful work, low possibilities to achieve something in Lithuania working hard. In June-August 2006 representative surveys in all EU countries were conducted to evaluate image of Lithuania. There was a question about a general attitude towards Lithuania ("Generally speaking would you say you consider Lithuania favorably or unfavorably?") and ten short statements about Lithuania for agreement or disagreement: its economy developing fast, it is a modern country, it has good sports people, it is politically stable, it is attractive for tourism, friendly people live there, it is attractive for investments, it has rich culture, there is low corruption, it has good relations with (country where survey was conducted). In all countries (apart of Spain) predominated positive general evaluations. Especially good evaluations were got in Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Poland.The majority of respondents in EU countries agreed that friendly people live in Lithuania, that it has rich culture and it has good relations to the surveyed country. On the other hand, more people disagreed than agreed that it is modern country and there is low corruption. In many countries (for example Spain, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Ireland) majority of people did not have enough information to say something about Lithuania.
