- People want change. But why? What are the most pressing problems that bedevil today’s societies? The answers in all three countries are similar: The top issue is the so-called social question. In Germany, for example, the key concern is inequality (71% of the answers), followed by the care system (68%), the pension system (66%) and protection against poverty (63%). In France, too, inequality is the number 1 concern (71%), in Italy, it is number 3 (75%). Besides the social question, a common worry in all three countries is the quality of the government: It ranks number 5 among the top concerns in Germany (and Italy), with 58% of answers (Italy: 73%) and even number 2 in France (70%). In Germany, however, this is seen as a rather temporary problem, fueled by the disaffection with the “Great Coalition”; in France and Italy, in contrast, it seems to be more of a systemic issue. Respondents have not only grown unhappy with their current governments but also see the political system itself as a problem – 69% in France (rank 3) and 77% in Italy (rank 2), compared to “only” 44% in Germany (rank 12).
- Protect me!
- Reflecting the list of social problems, securing pensions (71% of answers) and decreasing the gap between rich and poor (62%) are also among the top priorities of German policies (see table), together with the creation of affordable living space (68%) – which is a big issue for German respondents while it is a lesser concern for French respondents (54%) and of absolutely no concern for the homeowner nation Italy (8%). But in other national policy priorities, remarkable unity prevails. In France, for example, pensions come also on top (66%), while inequality is number 3 (60%); in Italy, it is number 4 (58%) and pensions number 7 (54%). Many respondents seem to fear a looming pension crisis. Against the backdrop of demographic change, zero interest rates, and the changing nature of work, these fears are not totally unfounded. The pension problem, however, cannot be solved by governments alone. Self-responsibility – own savings efforts – are also important. The best pension policy is one that enables more and more people to do just that.
- Sometimes, the social concerns come in different shades: 72% of the Italian respondents (rank 1) and 64% of the French respondents (rank 2) view the reduction of unemployment as the top policy priority; for German respondents, reflecting the good shape of the labor market, the creation of jobs is of minor importance (36%, rank 15). Another quite remarkable similarity: Immigration is no longer seen as a top policy priority in all three countries, it is ranked number 11 in Germany (40%), number 14 (40%) in France and number 12 in Italy (35%). Climate protection, too, is ranked relatively low when respondents are asked about important national policy measures. In Germany (and in France), this issue just made it into the top 5 (57% resp. 54%), but in Italy, it is ranked number 8 (46%).
- Climate responsibility
- While climate protection is not seen as a top priority of national politics, the picture changes, when respondents are asked about policy priorities for the next EU Commission (see table): 56% of the German respondents think it should be the number one priority, followed by inequality (49%) and social security (49%). And immigration, too, is seen more as a supranational issue, it ranks number 4 (43%). The list of top policies reads quite similar for French respondents – climate protection, followed by inequality and immigration – and Italian ones, who, however, see economic growth as the top priority, but also followed by immigration, inequality and climate protection. Looking at the expectations towards the next EU Commission, a relatively clear mandate emerges. It should focus on cross-border problems like climate change and immigration. National governments, on the other hand, should concentrate on answers on the social question. It’s a neat division of labor and a recipe for getting Europe going again.
Allianz Pulse
French, German and Italians are ready to embrace change
Contact
Arne Holzhausen
Allianz SE
Allianz SE
Ludovic Subran
Allianz SE
Allianz SE