A quarter of Romanians believe that the economic situation will improve over the next 12 months (Europeans are more skeptical, only 16% are optimistic)

Inflation and the economic situation are the two main concerns of Romanians, while inflation and the situation in the energy market worry other Europeans.

Almost 70% of the population do not trust the government, Eurobarometer data show, and 34% trust the parliament.

When asked what possible consequences of the war in Ukraine cause you the most fear, the Romanians answered that price increases and a possible crisis, after which an expansion of the combat zone or even a nuclear war is possible.

For 66% of Romanians, the war in Ukraine had serious financial consequences on a personal level.

Approval of the euro has reached an all-time high. However, Europeans are increasingly concerned about the economic situation in the EU and in their own country.

General perception of the EU

The Eurobarometer, conducted in June-July 2022, shows that 67% of Romanian respondents are optimistic about the future of the EU, which is eight points more than in a similar survey conducted in January-February this year, before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine (the average EU: 65%).

In Romania, the positive image of the EU is now at 47% (+6 percentage points), while 36% of respondents have a neutral attitude towards the EU and 14% have a negative attitude towards the EU. In addition, 54% of Romanians tend to trust the EU (+ 5 percentage points), which is higher than the European average (49%).

Response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

According to previous polls, European citizens confirm their strong support for the EU’s response to Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. As for the actions of the EU, at the European level, humanitarian support is the most approved (92% on average in the EU against 75% in Romania), followed by the reception of Ukrainians in the EU who are fleeing the war (90% on average in the EU against 75% in Romania). .

69% of Romanians support the economic sanctions imposed by the EU on the Russian government, companies and individuals in Russia, which is lower than the European average (78%).

61% of Romanians support financing the supply and delivery of military equipment to Ukraine (EU average: 68%), and the absolute majority of respondents in Romania (61%) are satisfied with the EU’s response (EU average: 57%).

Energy and energy security

71% of Romanian respondents agree that the EU should invest in renewable energy (EU average: 87%), reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources (70% vs. 86% EU average) and that gas storage in EU countries should be transferred. quickly to ensure uninterrupted gas supply in winter (70% vs. 86% EU average).

In addition, 71% of Romanians believe that improving energy efficiency will make us less dependent on energy producers outside the EU (European average: 85%), while 68% are in favor of EU member states jointly purchasing energy from other countries to get a better price (EU average: 83%). In addition, 65% of Romanian respondents claim that they have recently taken measures to reduce energy consumption or intend to do so in the near future (EU average: 78%).

At the European level

The positive perception of the state of the European economy has decreased by 5 percentage points since the beginning of 2022 and now stands at 40%. The majority of respondents (51%, + 6 percentage points) believe that the current situation of the European economy is difficult. In addition, the positive perception of the state of the national economy also fell by 5 percentage points to 34%, with 64% considering the state of their national economy to be difficult (+5 points). The majority of respondents expect the state of the national economy to deteriorate over the next 12 months (53%, +22 p.p.).

Economy and the euro currency

At the same time, support for the euro is growing, reaching an all-time high: eight out of 10 respondents in the euro area (+3 percentage points) and 72% in the EU (+3 percentage points) are in favor of a European economic and monetary union with a single euro currency.

More than half of Europeans (56%) believe that the EU’s largest economic stimulus package – NextGenerationEU – can be effective in responding to current economic challenges.

The main concern of Europeans reflects a pessimistic perception of the economy.

Both at the national level and in the EU, inflation and energy supply have risen sharply and rank first and second respectively. When asked about the most important problems facing the EU today, more than a third of respondents named “price rises/inflation/cost of living” (34%, +10 percentage points since February and now number one) and “energy supply” (28%, + 12 percentage points and now in second place from seventh), along with “international situation” (also 28%).

Rising prices/inflation/cost of living is also the top issue in the country for more than half of respondents (54%, +13 percentage points), followed by “energy supply” (22%, +11 percentage points) and “economic situation”. ” (20%, + 1 percentage point). This is not surprising, because more than six out of ten respondents (62%) claim that the war in Ukraine had serious consequences for their personal finances.

See details of the Eurobarometer here