Romanians in the latest Eurobarometer survey

According to the latest standard Eurobarometer, Romanians have more confidence in the European institutions than in the domestic ones

Bogdan Matei, 07.03.2019, 13:24

An excellent polling instrument, the latest Eurobarometer is all the more important as this is an election year. Since 1974, studies have been published twice a year, in summer and winter. The data concerning Romania, published on Wednesday, were collected last November. Over two thirds of Romanians, accounting for 69% of the respondents, believe news or information that misrepresent reality or are actually false pose a danger to democracy. 72% believe fake news is a frequent occurrence and a problem in Romania.

“Romanians are aware of the attempts made by some to misinform and manipulate what they read, how they think and finally how they vote. Its very important, ahead of the upcoming European Parliament election of May, that people should vote knowingly”, the head of the European Commissions Representation Office in Bucharest, Angela Cristea, said during the presentation of the national report, part of the Eurobarometer. 97% of Romanians watch TV programmes at least once a week and over half of them use the Internet on a weekly basis.

60% of the Romanian respondents perceive social media as a modern tool to keep themselves informed about political developments as well as to voice their own opinions. The survey also points out that 52% of Romanians have a positive opinion of the EU, above the 43% EU average. Romanians are also optimistic about the future of the EU, 63% against the 58% average at EU level. According to the study, one of the strongest tenets of the EU is the free movement of citizens, goods and services. 55% of Romanians trust the European Commission.

By contrast, only 23% of respondents said they trusted the Romanian Government. Six in ten Romanians also trust the European Parliament, considering the EU average is 48%, while only 24% of respondents trust the Romanian Chamber of Deputies. Trust in national governments is overall below trust in European institutions, with an average of 35% as against 42%. National justice systems on the other hand inspire more confidence, reflected in a 51% respondents choice. As regards democracy, 55% of Romanians are satisfied with the way democracy works in the EU. Conversely, only one in three Romanians is satisfied with the way democracy works in Romania.