Romania and the EU

Most Romanians believe their country benefited from EU membership and that their lives are directly influenced by community institutions

Daniela Budu, 07.12.2023, 13:50

Seven in ten Romanians believe EU membership has a positive effect, while six in ten Romanians say community institutions directly impact their lives. This is one of the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey conducted by the European Parliament. New job opportunities, higher living standards and EU efforts to keep the peace are some of the benefits participants outlined. According to the survey, 75% of interviewees would vote if European Parliament elections were held next week, one of the highest percentages at EU level. European citizens interest in this election has gone up lately, and could be a sign the European Parliament enjoys citizens trust, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola has argued. „Throughout these past five years, we have listened. And the European Parliament has delivered. We are fighting against poverty, social exclusion and climate change, to create jobs and to defend EU values, such as democracy, human rights and the freedom of speech”, the European official said.

According to the Eurobarometer, over half of Romanians see EU membership as a positive element. Despite a slightly lower confidence rate compared to the EU average, Romanians know when the upcoming European Parliament election will take place, which is over June 6-9, 2024. In Romania, voter turnout for the European Parliament election of 2019 was a little over half of eligible voters. An INSCOP survey also shows that most Romanians support Romanias EU and NATO membership. A quarter, however, believe Romania should leave the EU, and a fifth say it should leave NATO. As regards the two ongoing wars, over 35% of Romanians claim Hamas is responsible for the conflict in Gaza, while nearly half believe Russia is the main culprit in the war in Ukraine. Analysts say this speaks to a decreasing number of people who blame Russia for the war in Ukraine, also showing a balance in terms of people who believe either Ukraine or Russia will emerge as victor. It should also be said that nearly a third of participants believe deploying more NATO and US troops to Romania would anger Russia, while 57% of Romanians say this is a good thing. An equal percentage of Romanian citizens regard Russia as a threat to Bucharest. According to the INSCOP survey, only 1 in 2 Romanians would defend their country in case war broke out, a clear divide at society level. (VP)