Interview: EU needs 'an Obama' to combat public apathy 

Reinhardt's interview coincided with the release of a comprehensive survey of European voters commissioned by the Foundation for Future Studies. The survey, which the foundation claims is "the largest survey of its kind" in advance of the European elections, involved 12,000 face-to-face interviews with voters from across Europe.

"Nearly two-thirds of Europeans actually think that election promises are not kept," said Reinhardt, expressing surprise that this result "seemed to vary quite a bit across Europe". 

The survey reveals that 82% of Finns believe they are being lied to by politicians, while only 44% of Italians feel the same way. 

The level of apathy conveyed in the survey is considerable, with over 60% of Europeans surveyed saying that they were "generally dissatisfied with politicians and parties". 

The foundation's study found that there was a link between voter cynicism and voter turnout, noting that "Spaniards and Italians with higher than average turnout were shown to have a lot of faith in their governments".

Reinhardt pointed to the "dangerous" level of discontent among voters indicated by the results. He warned that the idea of "one Europe" and "even democracy itself" will be "in danger" if Europe continues on its current path. 

The scholar stressed the need for stronger, more visible leadership in Europe, arguing that the survey showed that people would be willing to embrace a "European Obama". "That would be something people would really look up to," he added. 

But at the same time, Reinhardt warned that the foundation's research showed that Europeans had little appetite for "more rules from Brussels," and cautioned against centralising more power. 

The German expert reiterated that people wanted "less laws" from Brussels, and want "more decisions to be made by the small communities" they live in. 

The survey supported this argument for "less Brussels", revealing that "only a minority" of Europeans would like to see the state play a "bigger role". 

To read the interview in full, please click here.