14 March 2016

EurActiv: Majority of French back holding ‘Frexit’ referendum

53% of French surveyed would like to hold a referendum on their country’s continued EU membership, a new poll has revealed, fuelling fears that Britain’s own referendum will give others ideas and unravel the EU’s unity.

A survey by the University of Edinburgh, published on 10 March, looked into public attitudes to the UK’s EU membership referendum in a selection of countries ― Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Ireland, and Sweden.

Among the sample of more than 8,000 voters, the French were the only ones saying in a majority (53%) that they would back holding a similar referendum on their country’s EU membership.

And in Sweden, Germany and Spain there were more respondents in favour of holding a similar referendum than opposed, the survey found.

After the French, the Swedes (49%) seem the most tempted by holding a referendum on the EU, followed by Spaniards (47%) and Germans (45%). Poles (39%) and Irish (38%) were the least favourable. [...]

However, if a referendum were held in the six countries it seems that the outcome would be a firm affirmation of EU membership in Germany, Poland, Spain, and Ireland, the survey stressed.

And even among the French, the proportion of those ready to vote leave appears low, with only 33% backing ‘Frexit’ or a French exit of the European Union. By contrast, 45% would vote remain and 22% are undecided. [...]

And although respondents in all countries were broadly supportive of Britain’s continued EU membership, the French were also the most favourable to Brexit, with broad rejection of exceptional treatment for Britain.

81% in Spain backed Britain’s continued EU membership, while the most lukewarm country was France with 56% support.

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