The Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), in cooperation with CBS-AXA, presented on the 11th of July 2023, the results of the first national public opinion poll “Citizens’ perception about Moldova’s European integration process.”
The survey was conducted with face-to-face interviews between June 13-28, 2023, at the national level, excepting the Transnistrian region, on a sample of 1120 respondents over the age of 18. The sample is representative of the adult population of the Republic of Moldova, with an error of +/- 3%.
During the event, IPRE presented the key results and findings based on over 45 questions included in the opinion poll, referring to the general aspects related to the political situation, Moldova’s accession process to the EU, information and communication about Moldova’s European integration process, trade relations between Moldova and the EU, EU assistance for Moldova and the role of national actors in accelerating the EU accession process.
According to the survey, 59.2% of citizens support Moldova’s accession to the EU, and, in the event of a referendum, 55.4% of citizens would vote “for” and 30.6% would vote “against” Moldova’s accession to the EU. At the same time, over 51% of respondents believe that Moldova will become a member of the EU in the next ten years. About 14% of citizens believe that Moldova is ready for EU accession.
The data also show that almost half of the respondents participated in or watched the “Moldova is European” National Assembly, and 84.2% know about the fact that the European Political Community (EPC) Summit took place in Moldova. More than 50% of respondents believe that the EPC Summit was a very important event for the country. The main benefits mentioned as a result of the organization of the Summit are related to attracting investments, developing trade relations, and speeding up the EU accession process.
When it comes to the information sources on Moldova – EU relations, 46.5% of the respondents mentioned that they are well and very well informed, and 52.5% are poorly informed. The most frequently used information resources are the Internet (46.1%) and television (40.3%).
In terms of trade relations, EU member countries are seen as the main partners for the Republic of Moldova, with 44.6% of the responses, followed by the Russian Federation – 26.7% and Ukraine – 20.4%. Citizens’ perception regarding the share of EU countries in trade with the Republic of Moldova corresponds, in general terms, with official statistical data. The main products exported to the EU market are of agricultural origin, and industrial products have a smaller weight in the opinion of the respondents.
At the same time, 49.5% of the respondents mentioned the EU as the main development partner of Moldova, followed by Russia with 28% and Turkey with 21.3%. At the local level, 48.8% of respondents know about several or more projects financed by the European Union in the last five years, focused especially on infrastructure development, repair of schools and kindergartens, but also street lighting. Central public authorities are perceived as the main beneficiaries of EU assistance with 54.6%, at a long distance from other categories of beneficiaries.