Most voters in western Europe believe the European Union has a duty to help those fleeing war – as long as it is not their country being asked to welcome them.
According to a poll carried out by Ifop in seven EU member states, entitled “Europeans face the migrant crisis”, a majority in each country feel Europe has a duty to help those trying to escape conflict and misery.
When it comes to what voters are personally doing to help refugees, western Europe is equally split.
About 40% of people in Spain say they have donated, or intend to donate, to the relief effort, compared with 18% in France.
In Germany, 40% of voters claim to have volunteered their time, against 22% in the UK.
Although in Spain and Italy, 10% say that they have hosted, or intend to host, a refugee, the figure is 4% in France and the Netherlands.
