Europeans unite… in distrust of government

“Europeans are liberal, anxious and don't trust politics,” reports the Guardian, opening a month-long “New Europe” series of reports from the continent, with the aim, according to the London daily editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, “to get to know our neighbours better.” A poll commissioned by the Guardian in five EU states - Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Spain – reveals a continent “confident in its liberal values and still mostly committed to EU institutions” but also mistrustful of its leaders. “Only 6% of people across Europe say they have a great deal of trust in their government, 46% say they have not very much and 32% none at all. Only 9% of Europeans think their politicians – in opposition or in power – act with honesty and integrity.” Economic worries are also a concern – “Overall, 40% of those polled think their economy will get worse over the next 12 months, against 20% who think it will improve.” Despite the gloomy outlook, EU states using the euro wish to keep it. “Spain (71%) is keenest, followed by France (60%). But a majority of Germans (59%) also want to keep the euro despite national concern about the Greek bailout.”