A Eurobarometer survey shows that a large majority of people want their government to make concessions to secure agreement on a European constitution.
The Commission funded poll was organised on 23/24 January 2004 following the collapse of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). The survey shows that 77% of people in the 25 countries are in favour of the EU adopting a Constitution, with 15% opposed to the idea. More than 60% of people expect that without a constitution the European institutions will be paralysed and want their country to make concessions to secure an agreement. 59% agree that Member States who wish to deepen their cooperation can do so without waiting for all other Member States.
In many countries suport for the Constitution exceeded 80 %, with only Sweden and the Uk showing support levels below 60 %. The survey indicated support for an EU Minister for Foreign Affairs.
According to the poll, most people do not feel well informed on the draft Constitution, and a quarter of current and future EU citizens declare that they are well informed. But when faced with two inaccurate statements about the draft constitution (direct election of the European Council President and the creation of a European army) 40 % of respondents got it right and an equal number were wrong.
