Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1062629
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 DECEMBER 2018 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A Eurobarometer survey con- ducted in all 28 EU member states shows that the Maltese are among the most likely to favour more European integration in most fields, with the notable ex- ception of taxation. In fact while over two-thirds of Maltese favoured increased European integration on a vari- ety of issues ranging from animal welfare (66%) to wages (76%), a sizeable minority of 46% favour increased tax harmonisation. Yet despite the consensus of both major political parties against tax harmonisation in view of Malta's tax competitive- ness, nearly half of Maltese re- spondents agreed with "more harmonisation" of taxation sys- tems in the EU. The interviews were carried out face-to-face with respondents. While only 35% of the Maltese opt for the status quo, 9% said they want less harmonisation. The Maltese turned out to be more keen on tax harmonisa- tion than the Dutch (42%), the British (35%) the Danes (30%) the Swedes (27%) and the Esto- nians (24%). Countries averse to tax harmonisation include both countries with a low tax rate like Estonia, and Scandinavian coun- tries, which tend to have higher tax rates. Fellow Mediterranean coun- tries like Portugal (74%), Spain (71%), Italy (68%), and Greece (64%) tend to be the most in fa- vour of more harmonised taxa- tion. Economically troubled na- tions also tend to favour tax harmonisation more than eco- nomically prosperous countries. Agreement with harmonisation of wages also tends to be higher in poorer countries like Bulgaria (90%) and Greece (87%) and low- est in richer countries like the Netherlands (47%) and Sweden (38%). The Maltese also tend to be keener on harmonisation on environmental standards than on animal welfare. In fact, while 76% want greater harmonisation with regards to environmental standards, 66% want greater har- monisation on animal welfare rules. This could well reflect the concern of hunters and trappers that harmonisation on this issue could pose a threat to their hob- bies. But the Maltese still tend to be more in favour of harmonisa- tion of animal welfare rules than respondents in most other EU countries. Maltese optimistic on Europe's future In general the Maltese also tend to be more optimistic about Eu- rope's future than other Euro- peans. The Maltese are the most likely among the 28 member states to think that Europe of- fers a future to its youths (87%). Only 59% of Greeks and 56% of Spaniards express the same view. But the Maltese are also confi- dent about their life chances in their own country. 69% of Mal- tese think that everyone in their country has a chance to succeed in life, compared to only 55% in the EU as a whole. But the Maltese also express signs of apprehension on glo- balisation in general. 61% now regard globalisation as a threat to their identity, a view expressed by 53% of respondents in all EU 28 members. Only 36% of Ger- mans and 30% of Swedes think likewise. With regards to immigration when asked what should now be given priority for the benefit of Europeans in 20 years' time only 18% of Maltese replied that the priority should be integrating migrants in their host country. For 64% of Maltese the priority should be fighting illegal immi- gration. In all EU 28 countries 26% replied that integration should be a priority while 44% replied that the priority should be fighting illegal immigration. Surprisingly only 7% of Maltese replied that a common asylum policy should be a priority in contrast to 28% of all Europeans. And only 5% of Maltese believe that the priority should be "wel- coming all the people who need to come in to Europe" while 28% think putting strict limits on the arrival of new people should be the EU's priority. The Swedes (18%) where the most likely to say that the EU's priority should be to welcome all those who need to live in Europe. 55% of Swedes believe that the priority should be integrating migrants in their host country. The survey also assessed the readiness of different nation- alities to offer help to other EU members. 56% of Maltese think that the EU should definitely help other members if they can- not guarantee a minimum liv- ing standard to their citizens. In this aspect the Maltese are more in synch with poorer EU mem- bers like Greece (57%) and Spain (59%). In contrast only 30% of the Dutch think that the EU should definitely help. When it comes to countries facing a migration cri- sis, 71% of Maltese believe that the EU should definitely help in contrast to only 41% of Poles. Climate change a reality for the Maltese The Maltese are the most likely in Europe to believe that climate change is entirely attributable to human activity (58%). A further 36% of Maltese believe that cli- mate change is partly attribut- able to human activity. In all EU countries 42% attrib- ute climate change entirely to human activity while 51% partly attribute it to human activity. Only 2% of Maltese share Don- ald Trump's view that climate change has nothing to do with human activity. This view is ex- pressed by 5% of respondents in all EU member states. Climate change denial is strongest in the Portugal (12%), Estonia and Lat- via (10%) Romania (9%) and the UK (8%). jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Maltese want more Europe in everything… except taxes 76% of Maltese want harmonisation of wages – but only 46% want harmonisation on taxes Malta (%) EU (%) The European Union offers a future for Europe's youths 87 69 EU is a place of stability in a troubled world 75 76 Climate change is entirely due to human activity 58 42 Climate change is not at all due to human activity 2 5 Globalisation is a threat to national identity 61 53 Everyone has a chance to succeed in my country 69 55 Percentage of Maltese respondents who want more harmonisation in different areas compared to rest of EU Malta (%) EU (%) Wages 76 71 Environmental Standards 76 72 Education 72 70 Pensions 72 67 Food Safety 72 70 Consumer Protection 71 66 Minimum social benefits 69 66 Data Protection 68 62 Animal Welfare 66 64 Taxation 46 55