site.bta61% of Bulgarians View Euro as Stable Currency, 26% Disagree - Trend Survey

Sixty-one percent of Bulgarians believe the euro is a stable currency, while 26% disagree, according to a Trend survey commissioned by 24 Chasa and made public on Tuesday. A total of 13% of respondents were undecided or unsure.

Examining attitudes of Bulgarians on European issues, the survey was conducted between October 16 and 22 among 1,002 people aged 18 and older through direct, semi-standardized face-to-face interviews.

According to 53% of respondents, Bulgaria was unfairly excluded from full Schengen membership, while 29% believe the exclusion was justified, and 18% were unable to say. Asked how this affects the economic development of the country, 4% of respondents said it has a positive impact, 53% stated it has a negative impact, 26% said it has no impact whatsoever, and 17% were unable to form an opinion.

When asked what impact Bulgaria's non-acceptance as a full-fledged member of the Schengen area had on their trust in the EU, 4% of respondents said that their trust had increased, 51% stated that it had remained unchanged, 36% reported a decrease in trust, and 9% could not express an opinion.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents said that life in Bulgaria had improved since this country joined the EU; 23% believe it has remained unchanged; 32% stated it has worsened; and 8% were unsure.

Asked about the current state of the European economy, 5% described it as very good, 37% as rather good, 31% as rather bad, 9% as very bad, and 18% could not say.

Bulgaria's EU membership has increased foreign investment in the country, according to 38% of respondents, while 29% believe it has had no impact. Twelve percent said that EU membership had reduced foreign investment, while 21% were unsure.