A year after Brexit vote, more people view EU favourably

FRANKFURT -- A new survey shows that public approval of the European Union has rebounded dramatically compared with a year ago.

The poll results from the U.S.-based Pew Research Center show that majorities in nine of 10 EU member countries now hold a favourable view of the 28-country economic and political bloc.

The research centre says the upswing is the latest shift in an up-and-down cycle over the past decade.

Results show 74 per cent approval in Poland, 68 per cent in Germany, 67 per cent in Hungary, and 65 per cent in Sweden. The only dissenter was Greece, which has been subjected to severe budget austerity, at 33 per cent positive.

Even in the U.K., where a year ago voters chose 52-48 per cent to leave the EU, 54 per cent had a positive view of the EU.