There has been an about face in the way Italians view the European Union and after traditionally being among the most pro-EU on the continent, the majority of Italians are now cool on European integration, a new study has found.
The study, to appear in the upcoming edition of the monthly magazine Geo, was based on a DOXA poll taken of 1,0587 Italians, 66% of whom did not identify themselves as Europeans first while 26.5%.
The greatest number of Euro-sceptics were among housewives, blue collar workers, farmers and retirees who believed in the need to protect family roots, traditions and their identity as Italians.
The study explained that enthusiasm for Europe had also waned because of such things as EU milk quotas and health regulations which threatened traditional Italian food products.
Those most in favor of a united Europe were said to be young people, especially students, businessmen, white collar executives and the unemployed, who viewed the EU as an opportunity to find work.
The GEO article included an interview with European Affairs Minister Emma Bonino who said "although this poll would appear to indicate a radical split in the country between those for and against the EU, I do not believe this to be the case".
"It is my opinion that the majority of Italians feel they are Italian and European at the same time. However, it is also possible that the pro-Europe camp suffered a setback with the rejection of the proposed European Constitution," she added.
A collective effort must now be made, Bonino said, "to jump start the process of European political integration. As (ex-European Commission president) Jacques Delors said: Europe is like a bicycle, you have to keep peddling ahead in order not to fall over".
The fact is, the minister observed, "it takes time to develop a European mentality and awareness. Information and education are needed to overcome those prejudices which this study has listed. Evidently, the concept of a Europe which includes both pro-Europeans and pro-Italians still needs to evolve".
"This poll was a further example that Italy needs to be more and not less European," Bonino concluded.
