SYNTHESIS DECEMBER 2013 ESTONIAN CITIZENS’ INVOLVEMENT IN THE EU REPORT OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY IN ESTONIA SarrPoll T his Synthesis presents the results of a group discussion held in Tallinn on 7 December 2013 on the sub- ject of citizens’ involvement in the European Union. It is part of a wider citizenship project managed by Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute, with the support of national partners of the European Qualitative Network coordinated by OPTEM, on behalf of the European Commission. Introduction 1. Initial thoughts about the European Union This report presents the results of a group discussion 1.1. Spontaneous associations with the European Union held in Tallinn on 7 December 2013 on the subject of citizens’ involvement in the European Union. Participants were invited to list the mental associa- tions, images, and perceptions that first came It is the Estonian section of a pan-European qualita- to mind regarding the European Union (EU). tive study involving 18 of the member states. • Firstly the (far away) institutional aspect of EU was mentioned – “big buildings in Brussels”, In each country the study was carried out by the “Brussels itself” – shaping an image of a big colos- national partner of the European qualitative network sal dehumanised mechanism: ‘them’. coordinated by optem: in Estonia by sarrpoll. • Secondly, close to home positive manifesta- tions of EU: repair of Tallinn- pärnu motorway This study forms a part of a wider citizenship project with the aid of EU – what ‘they’ have done for ‘us’. managed by Notre Europe – Jacques Delors institute • Thirdly the link Estonians (‘us’) have with on behalf of the European commission. EU (‘them’) emerged: Estonian members of European parliament (MEP), especially the name BOX 1 Composition of the group of respondents of one of them Indrek Tarand. It was explained Gender Age that these are the Estonian MEPs who raise ques- Women: 5 20-34 years: 3 tions, important to Estonians, in EU. Men: 4 35-49 years: 3 • After, some negative connotations surfaced, 50-60 years: 2 though they were not widely shared among the Social class participants: Lower-middle social class: 4 (professions of head of household: truck – 45 million euro fine for excessive sugar stocks, driver in a local social centre, ventilation fitter, cook in a canteen, sales- – Possible new fine for Estonia for exceeding milk person in a publishing house) quota with 5-6% this year, Higher-middle class: 5 (professions of head of household: project manager – Baltic farmers protest against inequality of the in a translation agency, directress of a local post office, leader of a regional boy scouts (young eagles) section in Estonian defense league, sales direc- EU’s common agricultural policy (an old soviet- tress of a cosmetic brand in Estonia, freelance consultant in labour law and era tractor was sent to Brussels). liquidation of companies). • Finally, popular topics in the press at the Political opinion moment: migration to sepa starting from The respondents were also recruited so that diverse political opinions were 1 February, cross-border money transfers, and represented in the group. the common currency, euro, that Latvia was to adopt in several weeks after focus group discus- sion, were mentioned. 1 / 10 Estonian citizens’ involvement in the EU It is interesting to note that a manifest difference topics, that really could make a difference, are set between ’us’, Estonia and Estonians, and ’them’, to background to deal with nonsense. EU, could be observed among the participants of the • Standardization of member states, unwilling- focus group. This opposition softened in the course ness to take into account cultural, historical and of the group discussion, but remained observable geographical differences while working out new until the end, especially among certain participants legislations and regulations. (mainly lower-middle social class). • Greece and Italy and countries alike with irresponsible budgetary policies force care- 1.2. Positive and negative aspects relating ful Estonians and Scandinavians to pay more. to the European Union That doesn’t feel just to everybody. Two partici- pants (older, lower-middle social class) consid- When probed further on positive connotations, free ered Estonia’s contribution to esm too big movement and better quality of life were mentioned: because it’s paid at the expense of Estonians’ • Travelling: made easier, no visas, no queues to well-being. cross borders, medical help abroad, no need to • Fear that even though today we receive from EU change money. more than we give, that will change one day, and • Studying and working abroad: even though Estonia will have to start to pay much more there are no formal obstacles to go and work and than it gets. Several participants didn’t see that live and study in other European countries, which as a positive thing while several others stayed was perceived as something very positive, several more optimistic and believed that when that day participants stressed that they themselves would comes, Estonia will have also the means to help not use this opportunity because of their strong others, less fortunate members, unselfishly. connection to Estonia and Estonians. Some par- ticipants strongly expressed how living abroad The overall image of EU tended to be rather pos- would be out of question for them (mostly lower- itive, several participants even stating that it has middle social class, different ages). One young ameliorated during past years. “I have no negative participant (higher-middle social class) admitted, opinion about EU, in fact my opinion is turning more on the contrary, that she has even searched for a and more positive”, declared one young guy (lower- job in Brussels. middle social class). One older participant (also • Feeling as European citizen when visiting non- lower-middle social class) mentioned that before European countries: realisation of the difference Estonia became a member of EU, she was against in quality of life. To be noted that for most of the the integration, but now, having become in direct participants comparison with other countries contact with EU (by travelling, media, grants), she was the only moment when they felt as European has changed her opinion, and is happy Estonia is one citizens. One young participant felt positively of 28 member states, though still remaining critical European also through Greece’s bailout as it about some aspects of it. made her feel safe about Estonia’s future as well, assuring her that no matter what no member is In order to sooth the mentioned negative aspects left alone. participants explained that the Estonian govern- • Also cross-border projects and EU grants to ment is also to blame in EU’s negative image. repair and construct infrastructure and to boost Notably for two reasons: development were mentioned. These grants help • Local officials too keen to apply all the EU us catch up with the “normal world”, explained regulations indisputably, letter by letter, one middle-aged participant. leaving no room for flexibility. They accused Estonian officials of interpreting directives more When further questioned on more negative aspects severely than needed, visits and observations in related to EU, excessive regulations and standard- old member states had confirmed that. “The only ization, Greek problematic and payments to EU were ones who comply with all the EU regulations and stated: laws are the Estonians!” Ironically summed it up • Overregulation of certain fields to the extent one young male participant. that it is seen as “foolishness that drives from • The government’s selection of laws to adopt boredom of deputies in EU”. Notion that important is misleading the public opinion about EU work, giving an impression that EU only deals with 2 / 10 Estonian citizens’ involvement in the EU “stupid” regulations and unnecessary topics at newspapers and their online versions. Radio was the expense of important issues like people and not mentioned. their well-being, diminution of inequalities, pov- • New information channels: social media, nota- erty, equal salaries for women and men, etc. bly Facebook, and comments on online news sites. • Informal channels: family and friends. Latter Degree of interest and involvement in EU related strongly related to social media as a lot of com- issues were both rather moderate among the munication on that level has moved to internet. participants. • Other channels: EU related websites like epso • Interest: participants stated to have no particu- and EU homepage, EU legislation system with lar interest in EU related issues; they more con- what one participant is forced to interact daily at sume what is given to them through daily news. work Info runs through the background; their interest • Authorities and opinion leaders: people who stops at keeping themselves informed of the most are believed to have deeper knowledge, not just current affairs by headlines. They themselves opinions, of EU related topics. search rarely, rather never, info themselves. It can happen only if there is a necessity, never just Participants tended to get their information simul- for interest. taneously from different sources, mainly tradi- • Involvement: European topics and everyday life tional information channels like television (mostly), seem two completely separate things for them. newspapers and their online websites. Online news- Some see being European as opposite to being papers and especially their comments seemed to be Estonian; for others one doesn’t exclude the a very common way to get comparative information: other. As already mentioned above, they mostly in order to form one’s own opinion on a matter, peo- feel involvement – feeling European – when com- ple tended to compare the info, given with the com- paring themselves with others while travelling, ments added to the news story, with the info of offi- but while at work or living their everyday life they cial news.