Serbs would be choosing a thicker wallet over clean air, and the majority of the country's population is still against joining the EU, a fresh survey suggests.

Right direction taken

Compared to last year’s data, fewer people believe that things are going „very well” or „well” in Serbia, yet they are still in the majority. More than half of the population continue to uphold the view that the country is headed in the right direction, as found by a study that asked 2 413 adults in December 2022. Compared to this, the proportion of those who believe that the government is doing a bad job is around 36 per cent. The number of those who cannot decide whether the country is going in the right or wrong direction rose significantly, by about 5 per cent, a fresh survey by the House of win reveals.

Less than 10% say they are unaffected by price hikes

The surge in prices affects nearly everyone. 85.5 per cent of those asked say that price increases had an adverse effect on their lives, with 48.6 per cent saying that the crisis affected them very badly, and 36.9 per cent saying that they were „less affected.”

The poll also asked Serbs on which form of power generation they considered the most worthwhile to invest in. 12.3 per cent of respondents preferred nuclear energy, while most respondents – or more than 30 per cent – were in favour of building wind and solar farms. 25 per cent would welcome the expansion of hydroelectric facilities, 15 per cent would invest in thermal power plants, while slightly fewer respondents would like to rely more on natural gas.

People were also asked if they would opt for a thicker wallet, or clean air. The majority of Serbs (52 per cent) preferred more money, while 48 per cent believe that the authorities had better address the problem of air pollution.

People also afraid of Kosovo conflict

The survey, which was published in the daily Blic, also covered a number of current, or topical political issues. It shows that 76 per cent of Serbs believe that the state leadership should continue the dialogue with Pristina. Most Serbs are afraid that some type of confrontation may erupt in Kosovo. 48.8 per cent of citizens fear that the actions of the Pristina authorities could lead to conflict. 11.9 per cent of respondents see Belgrade as a possible culprit. 15.2 per cent do not expect conflict, but they do expect tension.

No to the European Union

Serbia’s prolonged integration with the EU is leaving a clear mark on people, the data shows. The majority would vote „no” if a referendum on the country’s EU membership were held today. 47.8 per cent of citizens are against, while 36.7 per cent are in favour of Serbia’s EU integration.

The reason for these results can be summed up in one word: disappointment. 34.6 per cent of respondents feel they have become disillusioned in the European Union, while the hardliners who have never supported the country’s EU accession make up 28.5 per cent. 26.4 per cent of people have remained passionately in favour of Serbia’s EU integration.

Speaking to Happy TV in a recent interview, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed confidence that the Balkan country will be the next to join the EU, adding that he is more concerned that Serbia may experience a decrease in the volume of foreign investments. Mr Vucic said he was not afraid that Serbia would remain an EU candidate country for an extended period, as is the case with Turkey, but he is worried that someone will say that there will be no more investments.