In a YouGov pan-European poll of eurozone members Germany and France and non- eurozone members Britain and Denmark released today, the European public reported dissatisfaction with government action in the crisis and many want to eject Greece from the eurozone.
Government support
Germans are particularly harsh on their government's performance giving low marks for the actions of the Merkel government (15% approve; 75% disapprove) and the information given about the crisis (19% approve; 75% disapprove). In the 3 other countries polled, only Denmark supported its government's actions (39% approve; 36% disapprove). France (35% approve; 47% disapprove) and Britain (33% approve; 41% disapprove) were not as supportive.
More bailouts to save the eurozone?
As to whether bailouts should again be used -- even if they were necessary to keep the eurozone intact - - sentiment was united in opposition. Germans (20% saying yes; 59% saying no), Britons (13% yes; 65% no), and French (27% yes; 47% no) were strongly opposed, while only Denmark showed less strong opposition (32% yes; 42% no).
Anger toward Greece; less toward other PIIGS
Furthermore, over half of the German public and nearly half of the French, British and Danish public want to boot Greece out of the eurozone. 58% of Germans, followed by 45% of French, 45% of Britons, and 43% of Danes support ejecting Greece from the common currency.
When asked about the remaining PIIGS, respondents were much more supportive, as Portugal, Ireland, Italy, and Spain received at least 75% support across all 4 countries questioned.
France & Germany not ready to leave the euro; joining unattractive to Britain & Denmark
While there is significant support for expelling Greece from the common currency, euro stalwarts France and Germany remain supportive of the euro itself. Only 31% of French supported withdrawing from the eurozone (while 53% supported staying in it). In Germany, 44% supported dropping the euro to 48% who supported keeping the euro.
Outside the eurozone, Britons and Danes remain opposed to joining the eurozone (only 9% of Britons approve to 85% disapproving; 37% of Danes want to join to 61% disapproving). This is among the lowest support YouGov has recorded for the euro.
Poll was conducted online from 9 August 2011 - 12 August 2011. In each geography a nationally- representative sample of YouGov panelists was interviewed online. In Great Britain, 2700 adults over age 18 were interviewed. In Denmark, 1007 adults over age 18 were interviewed. In France, 1014 adults over age 18 were interviewed. In Germany, 1061 adults over age 18 were interviewed from August 10-11 and 1041 adults over age 18 were interviewed from August 11-12 (for the question on dropping/retaining the euro).
