Poll: Majority of Citizens against Serbia’s EU Membership

(BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

The majority of Serbian citizens are still against the country’s membership in the European Union, but they do believe that he EU is and should remain the main economic partner, according to the results of the latest opinion poll titled “Citizens’ Stance on Foreign Policy.”

The majority of the people, 52 percent, would certainly or probably vote against in a referendum on EU membership, while 39 percent would certainly or probably vote in favor, Dimitrije Milic of Lidington Research from Belgrade stated on June 12 at the presentation of the poll. “A slight decline in support to the EU can be observed. Support is somewhat higher among national minorities, in Belgrade, among people with higher education and in Vojvodina,” he stated.

As for BRICS, on the other hand, 59 percent would vote in favor of membership in that organization. As for membership in NATO, 81 percent are against. Serbian citizens also view the U.S. as the most responsible side for the unpredictable future of NIS.

Milic explained that voters of the ruling coalition viewed the U.S. as responsible for that, while the opposition oriented citizens viewed Serbia as the responsible side. Furthermore, those interviewed believe that Donald Trump taking the U.S. helm would precipitate an improvement of relations with Serbia, but also that he did not have the leadership capacities to secure a quick end to the war in Ukraine.

The citizens believe that the EU and China were presently Serbia’s main economic partners, and that they should remain so. As for politics, they recognize the EU and China as the main partners, but believe that this should be Russia – more than 50 percent of those interviewed.