Public opininion, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. In most European countries, public support for development aid is strong.
Most people expect feel their government has a duty to give to the poor and the suffering.
But what they have in common, is that they are practical expressions of people's wish to assist the poor. However, this public support has a fragile basis. This simple notion was widely supported in Europe. Churches, politicians, press and general public could all agree that, for whatever reason, development aid was a great thing and should be supported. If not today, it will be soon.