VOTERS in Europe support a swift Scottish independence referendum and would welcome the country back into the EU after a Yes vote, new research has found.
The findings relate to the public living in five of Europe's major players.
Polling unveiled by French network Euronews on the fifth anniversary of the Brexit vote shows people in Germany, France, Italy and Spain would open the door for a newly-sovereign Scotland.
As many as 6000 people were polled on their attitudes to Scotland and the UK. Around 75% of them said they'd either support or not oppose indyref2 within the next 12 months – 51% of whom actively back the move.
Only 9% of those questioned said they'd oppose a fresh vote on Scotland's place in the UK. Resistance was highest in Spain and lowest in Italy.
Across the board, 81% said they'd either support or not oppose Scottish re-entry to the European Union.
READ MORE: John Curtice: What the UK public really thinks of Brexit
When asked about the potential for UK re-entry, there was less enthusiasm. While 74% said they'd either support or not oppose this, the proportion of Europeans who'd be against it was 17% – twice as high as those who said they wouldn't want Scotland back in.
And almost half of those surveyed said they think the UK will come to regret leaving the bloc.
The findings come as Euronews – which reaches 145 million people every month – launches its new Feel Connected to Europe campaign, which is targeted at UK audiences. It's also running special five-year anniversary Brexit coverage today across each of its 12 language editions.
Chief executive officer Michael Peters commented: "Staying connected to Europe is not about being part of the EU, it’s about a common understanding between the UK and its closest geographic, economic and cultural neighbours.
"When we commissioned this research, we were aware of how much of the media conversation focused on the UK experience of Brexit, with very little understanding of how Britain leaving the EU affects the country’s standing with Europeans.
"With this campaign, we want UK audiences to think critically about the news they consume, and the potential benefits of looking beyond the immediate national news agenda and embracing wider European and global issues."
READ MORE: From Brexit U-turns to the 'power grab', this is how the Tories sold out Scotland
The research was carried out by Redfield & Wilton Strategies.
SNP foreign affairs spokesperson Alyn Smith MP commented: "This poll is significant as it shows the level of awareness in EU member states about Scotland’s position.
"In 2014 we were promised that voting No meant staying in the EU – despite the Yes campaign warning that No could lead to Brexit.
"Not only does it show high awareness but also support and that is very welcome. It shows that Scotland has friends in the EU willing to support Scottish membership.
"It is increasingly clear that the Tories know there will be an independence referendum – and polling like this shows why they have gone into panic mode.
"As an independent country, Scotland will be in a partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and the EU instead of having to put up with Westminster governments we don’t vote for, and the people who live here will decide how we rebuild our country after the pandemic."
THE QUESTIONS
WHAT EURONEWS ASKED: To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose a Scottish referendum on independence being held in the next year?
- All respondents: 43% support, 33% neither support nor oppose, 11% oppose,13% don’t know
- France: 42% support, 33% neither support nor oppose, 11% oppose, 16% don’t know
- Germany: 43% support, 32% neither support nor oppose, 11% oppose, 14 % don’t know
- Italy: 51% support, 32% neither support nor oppose, 7% oppose, 11% don’t know
- Spain: 37% support, 36% neither support nor oppose, 15% oppose, 11% don’t know
WHAT EURONEWS ASKED: To what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose Scotland joining the EU if it were to leave the United Kingdom?
- All respondents: 51% support, 29% neither support nor oppose, 9% oppose, 11 per cent don’t know
- France: 44% support, 31% neither support nor oppose, 10% oppose, 15% don’t know
- Germany: 51% support, 28% neither support nor oppose, 9% oppose, 13% don’t know
- Italy: 54% support, 30% neither support nor oppose, 8% oppose, 8% don’t know
- Spain: 56% support, 28% neither support nor oppose, 9% oppose, 8% don’t know
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