Attitudes of Elites and Population towards the EU Development: Civil Service Leaders Survey, February 2016

The purpose of the study: to explore the attitudes of civil service leaders towards the development of European identity and citizenship in the context of EU change and enlargement.
Major investigated questions: respondents were asked how often they had come into contact with people from the EU institutions, organisations and companies, as well as with contributors and institutions from the EU's Eastern Partnership countries in their professional activities over the last 6 months. Given the list of various institutions and contributors (EU institutions; leaders of parliamentary majority political parties - 12 choices in total), the survey analysed their power in influencing changes in Lithuania. Next, people were asked to assess the influence of different individuals concerning important national issues (ordinary citizen; member of the European Parliament - 11 choices in total). Respondents had the opportunity to assess the importance of European unification and whether it is more important to grow a competitive European economy within global markets or to ensure better social protection for all its citizens. Respondents were asked to reveal the extent to which they associate themselves with their region, their country or Europe (EU). Given the block of questions, they were asked what it means to be Lithuanian (to be Christian; to follow Lithuanian cultural traditions - 8 choices in total). Given the list of threats, they were asked to rate the risk those threats pose to the EU (non-EU immigrants; EU expansion by including Turkey - 6 choices in total). Respondents had the opportunity to assess European unification and share viewpoints on how much of the €100 that an EU citizen pays in taxes should be redistributed at local, national and EU levels. Given the block of statements, respondents were asked to indicate what it means to be European (being a Christian; following European cultural traditions - 8 choices in total). Then, trust in the EU and in the ability of Lithuanian institutions to take the right decisions was assessed. The aim was to find out whether respondents felt that decision-makers at the EU level did not take Lithuania's interests into account sufficiently, and whether the interests of some EU Member States were given too much weight. The survey went on to analyse whether different policy areas should be dealt with at the national level or EU level (fight against unemployment; immigration policy [from non-EU countries] - 8 choices in total). Given the next set of questions, respondents were asked what the EU will look like in 10 years (unified EU tax system; mutual social security system - 4 choices in total). Next, they were asked how satisfied they are with the way democracy works in the EU and Lithuania. The survey went on to analyse whether the European Commission should be politically accountable to the European Parliament. Given another block of statements, respondents were asked whether or not different EU policies pose a risk to Lithuania (5 choices in total). Next, the survey went on to assess whether the redistribution of resources between EU Member States to protect the single currency is fair. Respondents were asked whether there should be a mutual EU army or whether each EU Member State should have its national army, and which institution is best suited to take care of Europe's security. Respondents were asked whether they were personally content with the introduction of the euro in Lithuania in 2015 and to describe their political views on a left-right scale. While having the future of the EU in mind, respondents were asked what the EU economy, the economic disparities between EU member states, the social disparities between EU citizens, the importance of the EU as a geopolitical power in the world and what the EU politically will be like in 10 years. The survey went on to analyse whether or not Lithuania has benefited from EU membership. Respondents were asked whether politicians in the Seimas and the Government should have the right to replace public officials and senior civil servants once the governing majority in Lithuania changes. The survey went further on to assess the social guarantees and legal status of civil servants in Lithuania in comparison with the corresponding guarantees for civil servants in Western Europe. The survey was concluded by asking respondents to share their viewpoints towards the relationship with the electorate, as well as their understanding of what is the most important function of elections in the political system.
Socio-demographic characteristics: county, civil servant status.