LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A recent Eurobarometer survey reveals that the Maltese population remains unconvinced about the need to prioritize defence and security at the European level. Only 14% of respondents in Malta support the European Parliament making “the EU’s defence and security” its top priority, a three-percentage-point decrease from the previous year and less than half the European average (31%).
While the average European appears to prioritize defence and security just as much as in the previous year, according to the European Parliament’s special Eurobarometer Winter Survey 2025, the results come amid growing discussions in Malta about defence spending and the country’s neutrality, with both major political parties weighing in on the matter. Although the Labour government and the Nationalist opposition have both ruled out any changes to Malta’s neutrality, both parties have signaled their willingness to consider increased defence spending, particularly at the European level. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Robert Abela joined other EU leaders in endorsing an €800 billion European defence plan. He also suggested that Malta should boost its defence spending, though he emphasized on Sunday that the government aims to “build an economy around peace, not war”.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Nationalist Party (PN) noted that Opposition Leader Bernard Grech had expressed support for increased European defence spending in discussions with the European People’s Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament. Despite the reluctance of many Maltese to see more EU-level discussions on defence, a significant majority—four out of five—believe the EU should prioritize protecting its citizens more in the future. When asked about the union’s future priorities, 82% of Maltese respondents stated that they felt the EU’s role in protecting its citizens from global crises and security risks should become more important. This view was shared by 66% of Europeans overall. This Eurobarometer survey marks the first time that the bloc has asked its citizens about the future importance of its role in citizen protection.
The results come amid increased European militarisation and signals that the United States, a long-standing ally, may be shifting its focus away from defending its European partners. Malta was among the countries that placed the greatest emphasis on the EU’s future role in protecting its citizens, alongside Ireland and Denmark, and just behind Cyprus (83%), the Netherlands and Finland (both 84%), and Sweden (87%). Notably, despite its proximity to war-torn Ukraine and Belarus—an ally of Russia—Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, placed the least importance (44%) on the EU’s role in protecting its citizens from future crises and security risks. While a majority of Maltese believe the EU should take a more active role in shielding its citizens, fewer are confident in the bloc’s future influence. Only 52% of Maltese and 44% of Europeans expressed belief that the EU will grow in importance on the world stage.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
