Attitudes of Elites and Population towards the EU Development: Members of the Lithuanian Parliament Survey, May - June 2017

The survey explored respondents' 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 had 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. Given another block of statements, respondents were asked whether or not different EU policies pose a risk to Lithuania (5 choices in total).

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. Next, respondents were asked 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.

Given the list of welfare policy areas (7 in total), people were asked which ones should maintain a central role for the public sector and which ones should maintain a central role for the private sector. Respondents were asked 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. The survey went on to analyse the opinions on whether the state should actively defend the Lithuanian identity and the Lithuanian language, and whether the Soviet period was more beneficial than detrimental for Lithuania.

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). Then, respondents were asked how often they had come into contact with people from the EU institutions, organisations and companies, as well as with EU-based organisations and companies in their professional activities over the last 6 months.

The survey also explored whether respondents had the experience of studying and/or working abroad (for more than 3 months) and whether they were pursuing or intended to pursue a professional career at the European level. Socio-demographic characteristics: party (faction) in the Seimas, position in the Seimas.