Comparing public attitudes towards internal and external EU sanctions: the role of populism, trust and Euroscepticism

Do Europeans think about EU sanctions against member states and third countries in the same way? The EU regularly uses economic sanctions against third countries to promote democracy. Yet today with democracy being challenged within its borders by Hungary and Poland, the EU also resorts to coercive measures to react to norm violations among its members. Taking the case of Poland, we investigate public reactions to EU intentions to impose sanctions against EU members, non-members and Poland. Using a survey experiment in Poland, we study factors influencing how respondents think about EU sanctions, and whether the sanctions target matters.

Automated summary

This study examines the perceptions of Europeans towards EU sanctions on member states and third countries, focusing on public reactions to the EU's intention to impose sanctions on EU members, non-members, and specifically Poland. The findings reveal the factors influencing individuals' views on EU sanctions and the significance of the target of the sanctions.