Public opinion on nuclear energy is a complex and controversial issue. Views remain so polarized and they differ so much from one Member State to another that it is impossible to identify an "average EU view." Public acceptance of nuclear energy was increasing before the Fukushima accident, which has had an impact on public opinion. However though it is very difficult to assess this impact in the long-term, we can already say that the results of opinion polls carried out throughout the European Union after the event show that it is very country specific. In some countries like Germany and Switzerland opposition to nuclear has risen sharply, while in other where new build plans are under way, like the United Kingdom or France, a majority of the population still backs the use of nuclear power. This endorses the crucial role that it plays in securing Europe's low-carbon energy future.