site.btaGallup Survey: 50% of Bulgarians Support EU and NATO, 17.1% Lean towards Russia and China

If Bulgarians had to choose now, 49.9% would prefer for this country to be part of the democratic world (EU, NATO, etc.), 25.5% are undecided and 17.1% lean towards other type of integrated communities around Russia and China, according to a survey published by Gallup International Balkan (Gallup) here on Thursday.

The survey took place from August 28 to September 5, 2023, with 802 people interviewed face-to-face using tablets. The sample represents the country's adult population. The margin of error is ±3.5% at a 50% response rate. Each 1% of the sample equals about 54,000 people.

Over 70% of the youngest believe Bulgaria belongs in the EU and NATO, while older generations have mixed views, but still lean towards the European path, social analysts noted.

Direct responses to the question about personal views confirm these observations – 48.8% favour the West, 20.6% favour the East, and 30.6% are unsure.

Approval for the EU remains at traditionally high levels. From September 2023 to September 2024, it increased from 54.2% to 59.5%. Disapproval decreased from 37.1% to 28.3%. Despite fluctuations, public opinion favours the EU, especially compared to Bulgarian national institutions.

Data shows that in just one year, approval for NATO has increased from 32% to 40.1%, while disapproval has decreased from 53.5% to 45.4%.

Social analysts say Bulgarians' trust in the EU and NATO has increased due to various reasons, especially because these unions offer security, protection, economic progress, and stability for Bulgaria amid geopolitical issues and threats.

Gallup surveyed opinions on various countries. Germany was approved the most at 49.9%, Hungary at 41%, France at 38.9%, and the United Kingdom at 37.3%.

The survey shows a new drop in Bulgarians' approval for Russia since the start of the aggression against Ukraine, with 30% currently trusting Russia. Comparisons with Gallup International Balkan's surveys from 2021, 2022, and 2023 show a steady rise in distrust. In September 2021, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia's rating was +2, but by September 2022 it was -15. In 2023, it remained negative at -14, and this year it declined further to -22: 30% trust Russia, while 52% do not.

At 27.2%, approval for the US stays in the traditional range of 26-31%. Social analysts note that a country's political style impacts its image in Bulgaria.