Only one in four Catalans would increase defense spending

BarcelonaCatalonia turns its back on global rearmament. Only 26% of Catalans –equivalent to one in four– advocate for an increase in defense spending, according to a survey by the Centre d'Estudis d'Opinió (CEO) and the European Parliament. The poll, published this Monday, reveals that 36% would maintain the current spending level, while 34% would reduce it to prioritize other policies. The results, which take on particular relevance in the current context of multiple wars around the world, are in line with the survey published this weekend by ARA, in which supporters of increased defense spending are 30% and opponents are 43%.

survey published this weekend by ARAit is reaching record figures in defense

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Returning to the survey, the vast majority of Catalans (62%) consider it quite or very important for member states of the European Union to be part of NATO – 32% see it as little or not at all important –, but an even larger percentage of respondents – 82% – consider it necessary for the European Union to develop a common security and defense policy. In the ARA survey, 47% of respondents are against leaving NATO, an option that only 25% support.

The pro-European sentiment, however, continues to rise, according to the CEO and Eurochamber survey. More than half of Catalans feel very (19%) or quite (39%) pro-European, which represents a slight increase compared to the 2024 figure (from 55% to 58%). Those who feel a little pro-European are 24% and those who do not feel European at all are 13%. It is noteworthy that the pro-European sentiment is higher in the younger age group (18 to 25 years) and in the older age group (over 65). In both cases, the percentage of those who feel very or quite pro-European exceeds 60%.

69% of the people interviewed believe that being part of the European Union is positive, although all these figures contrast with the low or no interest in European politics of the respondents (59%), and even more so if we consider that the percentage is higher than that of those who have no interest in politics in general (44%). All this in a context where practically all Catalans believe that their voice counts little or not at all in the European Union (90%), according to the poll.

Yes to the climate objective and AI regulation

Regarding future challenges, six out of ten Catalans support maintaining the current climate objective – making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 – or even advancing it; 92% are in favor of regulating digital platforms, especially to protect users from illegal content, and 88% agree on regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI). One of the most notable figures, also in line with the intentions of Pedro Sánchez's government, is that 87% of Catalans support the prohibition of social networks for those under 16 years of age throughout the EU.

Regarding community budgets, more than half of those surveyed (53%) believe that the priority should be resources to tackle the housing crisis, just ahead of those who opt for funds for agriculture and support for the rural world (46%).