site.btaBulgarians, Rest of Europeans Expect EU First and Foremost to Ensure Peace and Stability

Ensuring peace and stability is the EU's top priority, according to a Eurobarometer opinion poll presented on Friday by the European Commission.

According to 44% of Bulgarian participants and 71% of the whole of the EU, European sanctions against Russia because of the war in Ukraine are necessary. For 26% of Bulgarians and 58% of the EU, Ukraine should receive European arms supplies. 

The poll also shows that 57% of Bulgarians and 61% of the EU are optimistic about the EU. The biggest challenge nowadays for 31% in Bulgaria and the rest of the EU is war, followed by immigration (32% in Bulgaria and 28% in the EU) and the international situation (24% in Bulgaria and 22% in the EU).

For 69% of Bulgarians and 60% of EU citizens, the economic situation in their country is "very bad". According to 59% in Bulgaria and 73% in the EU, the financial situation in their household is "good". The majority (59% in Bulgaria and 68% in the EU) are job secure and do not expect this to change in the next year. According to 31% in Bulgaria (35% in the EU), the economic situation will worsen in the coming months.

When asked about the issues facing their country, respondents ranked purchasing power and price growth first (46% in Bulgaria and 33% in the EU), followed by immigration (8% in Bulgaria and 20% in the EU) and the economic situation (28% in Bulgaria and 18% in the EU).

Trust in Parliament in Bulgaria is at 17% (37% in the EU) and in the government at 23% (33% in the EU), the survey data indicate.