A majority of Austrians (51 percent) would like the United Kingdom to remain a member of the European Union, a new ÖGfE poll shows. 19 percent of respondents would want the UK to leave the Union. One in three respondents do not take a position.
Even before the Brexit vote, Austrians were sceptical that a British decision to leave the Union would be a good idea: In February/March 2013, 65 percent said they would prefer the UK to remain a member (23 percent opted for “leave”, 12 percent “don’t know / no answer”). In July 2015, 48 percent wanted the UK to stay in the EU, while 27 percent would the UK to leave the Union (25 percent “don’t know / no answer”).
In July 2016, 64 percent of respondents argued that a Brexit would reduce the Union’s global weight, while 56 percent said it would have negative consequences for the UK’s global standing. Only 10 respectively 15 percent said that a Brexit would have positive consequences for the global weight of the EU or the UK respectively.
The current survey was conducted from 16 to 19 February 2018 by marketagent.com on behalf of ÖGfE. 1001 persons were questioned online (Austrian population aged 14 to 69 years / weighted according to gender, age and education). Maximum margin of fluctuation approx. +/- 3,1 percent.
Surveys 2013 – 2016: Sozialwissenschaftliche Studiengesellschaft (SWS) on behalf of ÖGfE , conducted via telephone: N=571 respondents (2013), N=528 (2015), N=559 (2016).
