The Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), in cooperation with the Laboratory on Social and Political Analysis of the University of Siena, conducted a survey on the opinions of Italians on a number of subjects relating to foreign policy.
The study showed Italians' perception of the European crisis, EU integration, military missions abroad, the state of transatlantic relations, multilateralism and popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East.
Here are the main results:
– The Italians do not like the German influence on the economic policy of the European Union, with the majority preferring that Italy had wider margins of action with respect to Berlin's wishes.
– The majority are in favor of maintaining the euro, but have no intention of making personal sacrifices for the survival of the eurozone.
– NATO enjoys broad support, but the majority would prefer a stronger role for Europe in the alliance.
– Italians generally do not approve of the military use of force, with the majority opposing Italy's participation in international missions abroad.
– Multilateralism is for Italians the best means to deal effectively with international issues.
– Cultural diversity in Europe is considered an obstacle to greater EU integration, but for the youngest, diversity is not synonymous with division.
