DW survey: Who holds the most sway in the EU?

In response to the question of who currently has the greatest influence on the political direction of the EU, 39 percent of those surveyed said that it was the European Central Bank (ECB). Coming in at a close second was the European Commission with 36 percent, followed by Germany with 34 percent.

Opinion research institute infratest-dimap says the unclear results reflect the current political situation in Europe, as much as the strong presence of the most important EU institutions in the news. Only 18 percent of those surveyed said that countries affected by the eurozone crisis, for example Greece, had more clout.

Supporters of Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), also held similar views about the European Central Bank, as did supporters of the center-left Social Democratic Union (SPD) and the opposition Greens. Only voters of the opposition Left party gave it a higher ranking.

By contrast, the question of Germany's influence in the EU was rated higher by CDU/CSU and Greens voters compared to the responses of SPD and Left supporters.

Deutsche Welle commissioned the survey from infratest-dimap as part of its special "The direction of Europe." Between August 17 and 19, some 1,035 eligible voters responded to the questionnaire.