Europe Slips in World Influence Stakes
Surprise, surprise! The international standing of European nations has declined in the past year, according to a survey published this week, and Germany is no longer the state most admired by the rest of the world.
In a survey of more than 24,000 people in 22 countries around the world, the opinion research organization GlobeScan found that positive views of European states fell sharply over the past year as their leaders struggled to find solutions to the continent’s chronic economic crisis.
The standing of the 27-nation European Union as a whole fared even worse, with an 8 percent fall since last year.
Nations such as Germany and Britain are still in positive territory among the top five but China is coming up from behind in the admiration stakes, while Japan squeezed into first place with a positive rating of 58 percent.
Positive views of China rose from 46 to 50 percent, putting it at fifth place in the league table of states that others most look up to.
“The turmoil in the EU, long seen as an attractive bastion of political and economic stability, has raised doubts in people’s minds about its continued ability to be a global leader. Hopes are turning to China,” said Chris Coulter, GlobeScan’s president.