The euro has no positive effect against the crisis, according to 2/3 of the Europeans

The last Eurobarometer survey on "Europeans and the crisis" is the fourth conducted by the European Parliament. The general findings of the survey show more than a scepticism of the Europeans towards the euro, the european financial solidarity in times of crisis and the capacity of the current european system to solve the crisis.

First about the Euro, most of the Europeans, in most Member States still don't think that "the euro has mitigated the negative effects of the current crisis". This negative perception is increasing in 13 countries and is now remarkable in Slovenia (72%), Sweden (71%), France (65%), Germany (62%), Portugal (61%), Belgium (59%), the Netherlands (59%) or Greece (56%).

On the CRA, most of the Europeans (65%) also consider that Credit Rating Agencies "have played a significant role in the development of the financial crisis".

On the question of financial solidarity between Member States,

- only half (50%) of the Europeans esteemed "desirable" for their countries "to give financial help to another EU Member States facing severe economic and financial difficulties" ;

- 44% (+5 compared to 2010) of respondents declare themselves clearly against financial solidarity in times of crisis, with significant variations across countries, even if they are in favour of a "coordination" between Member States (55%).

About the future, 41% (+5 compared to 2010) consider that "the crisis is going to last for many years" and only 10% of them think that "a return to growth will start in the coming months".