Plenary Insights – April 2026 

Selection of Eurobarometer data in relation to the key topics of the plenary session:

• Proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034: A strong majority of citizens think that the EU needs more means to face current global challenges (73%). (EP Autumn 2025 Eurobarometer) The main areas in which they would like to see the EU budget allocated are ‘employment, social affairs and public health’ (42%), ‘education, training, youth, culture and media’ (36%) and ‘security and defence’ (35%). (Standard Eurobarometer - Autumn 2025)
• Welfare of cats and dogs: 74% of citizens say that the welfare of companion animals, such as cats and dogs, should be better protected than at present. A large majority (92%) also consider it important that good welfare conditions are ensured for cats and dogs that are bred for commercial purposes. (Eurobarometer on Attitudes of Europeans towards animal welfare)
• Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025: Around half of the EU citizens say that they have heard of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. This figure has increased by six percentage points compared to 2019. (Eurobarometer on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union)
• Combatting antisemitism: A growing majority of Europeans (55% compared to 50% in 2018) consider antisemitism to be a problem in their country. 47% of Europeans (+11 pp compared to 36% in 2018) believe that antisemitism has increased over the past five years in their country. 62% of European citizens (+11 pp) think that hostility in public places is a problem in their country. 61% say that antisemitic graffiti or vandalism and antisemitism online (+10 pp for both) are a problem in their country. (Eurobarometer on Perceptions of Antisemitism)
• Financial literacy and the rise of finfluencers: More than one-third (37%) of respondents to the Eurobarometer on Social media 2025 follow influencers or content creators on social media channels. The highest percentages are recorded in Malta and Cyprus, where one in two respondents indicates that they follow influencers or content creators on social media channels. How to content (e.g. tutorials) was, with 38%, among the most preferred types of content from these accounts.
• Safety and health at work: For 12% of respondents to the Eurobarometer on Social Europe ‘inadequate health and safety at work’ is a priority to be addressed in their country. The highest shares are recorded in Italy (24%), Malta (20%) and Sweden (19%).