Although many factors likely contributed to this outcome, one of them appears to have been the outgoing Spanishgovernment's strong support for U.S. policy in Iraq and contribution of Spanish forces to the U.S.-led coalition,despite widespread opposition at home to the war in Iraq. This report briefly examines selected public opinion indicators in key European countries that currently contribute tothe U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. The survey data referenced in this report derive from several sources, as noted; as such, varying methodologies arereflected that may not permit cross-country comparisons. (6)
Spain's announcement after the March 11 Madrid attacks that it would withdraw its troops from Iraq has appeared toinfluence public opinion in Italy. Polish officials and the public at large have become increasingly concerned about thepotential for terrorist attacks at home.
Several European countries currently contribute military forces to U.S.-ledcoalition operations to stabilize Iraq, one year after the start of the war against former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Many European governments have sent troops to Iraq despite strong domestic opposition, although the level ofopposition, as measured by opinion polls, varies from country to country and can show changes over time. TheMarch2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid and the announcement by the new Spanish government that it would likely removeSpanish troops from Iraq by July 2004 have raised questions about the sustainability of other countries' troopdeployments. This report surveys selected public opinion indicators in key European coalition countries. It maybeupdated as new polling data becomes available. See related CRS Report RL31843(pdf), Iraq: International AttitudestoOperation Iraqi Freedom and Reconstruction.