Eurobarometer: Bulgarians see Middle East conflict, international situation, as most important issues facing EU

Bulgarians see the Middle East conflict and the international situation as the two most important issues facing the European Union, according to a regular poll by Eurobarometer, the results of which were released on May 8.

Asked to name the two most important issues facing Bulgaria, the largest share of those polled named cost of living and the economic situation.

The poll found that 70 per cent of Bulgarians see the state of the country’s economy of bad, 10 points above the average for EU countries.

While across the EU, an average of 44 per cent of those polled expect their country’s economic situation to worse in the next 12 months, in Bulgaria the figure is 42 per cent.

Across the EU, an average 37 per cent expect their country’s economic situation to stay the same, while in Bulgaria the figure is 29 per cent.

Bulgarians had a more positive view of the EU than the average for those polled across the bloc. Fifty-one per cent of Bulgarians have a positive image of the EU, against an average 45 per cent.

However, 24 per cent of Bulgarians have a negative image of the EU, against an average across the bloc of 19 per cent.

Most Bulgarians oppose the EU financing the purchase and supply of military equipment for Ukraine – with 66 per cent against and 27 per cent in favour. Across the EU, 56 per cent are in favour and 39 per cent against.

Bulgarians are divided on EU sanctions against Russia – 45 per cent against, 42 per cent for, with 13 per cent undecided. In contrast, the average for the EU is 70 per cent in favour of sanctions on Russia, with 23 per cent against and seven per cent undecided.

(Photo: Interior Ministry)