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Swaying citizen support for EU membership: Evidence from a survey experiment of German voters

Author

Listed:
  • Nikoleta Yordanova

    (Institute of Political Science, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Mariyana Angelova

    (Department of Government, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria)

  • Roni Lehrer

    (Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany)

  • Moritz Osnabrügge

    (Department of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK)

  • Sander Renes

Abstract

The United Kingdom’s 2016 ‘Brexit’ referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU) raised concerns that other countries would follow suit. This article examines how arguments about EU membership related to economic, cultural, political, and security and peace issues could influence how citizens would vote in EU membership referendums. Our two-wave survey experiment on a random sample of the German population and difference-in-differences analysis revealed that only fears of being outvoted in EU decision-making swayed German voters’ attitudes about EU membership, particularly voters with weaker EU support, little EU knowledge and low levels of political engagement. We therefore conclude that concerns about sovereignty loss can be drivers of Euroscepticism even in a country that has vast influence over EU decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikoleta Yordanova & Mariyana Angelova & Roni Lehrer & Moritz Osnabrügge & Sander Renes, 2020. "Swaying citizen support for EU membership: Evidence from a survey experiment of German voters," European Union Politics, , vol. 21(3), pages 429-450, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:21:y:2020:i:3:p:429-450
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116520923735
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    References listed on IDEAS

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