July 11, 2023 – Croats, like most Europeans, are most concerned about the rise in prices and living costs, strongly support the euro, and have an extremely pro-Ukrainian attitude, according to the Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission. The survey was conducted in June in all 27 member states.
The most common answers to the question of the two most important issues the EU faces, rising prices and the cost of living, came first. In Croatia, 35 percent of respondents picked that as the most significant issue, while the average in the EU is 27. The international situation is second (27 percent of Croats, 25 percent European average), writes Index.
When asked about the two most important issues facing their own country, 69 percent of Croats picked the rise in prices and the cost of living first. 45 percent consider this issue the most important on average at the EU level. The economic situation took second place for Croats (30 percent, EU average 18 percent).
Eurobarometer: Increasing Support for the Euro
Over two-thirds of Croats (68 percent) support a common economic and monetary policy with a single currency, the euro, which is five percentage points more than at the beginning of this year. On average, support at the EU level remained the same as at the beginning of the year, 71 percent, and 78 percent in the eurozone.
More than half of the respondents in Croatia (51 percent) have a positive image of the EU (6 percent more than at the beginning of the year). 36 percent are neutral, and 13 percent have a negative image. Croats have a more positive image of the EU than the average in all 27 member states – 45 percent have a positive image, 37 percent are neutral, and 18 percent have a negative image.
Croatian citizens support common policies slightly more than the European average. Thus, the common energy policy is supported by 76 percent of Croats (73 percent in the EU) and the common foreign policy by 74 percent (EU 70 percent). Further expansion is supported by 72 percent of Cro; at the EU level, this support is 53 percent.
The vast majority of Croats support Ukraine
When it comes to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its consequences, Croats are somewhat more favorable to Ukraine than the European average. The vast majority of Croats (82 percent) support financial aid to Ukraine, while at the EU level this support is 75 percent. 81 percent of Croats are in favor of economic sanctions against Russia, 72 percent in the EU.
Financing and procurement of military equipment for Ukraine is supported by 72 percent of Croats, 64 percent in the EU. Candidate status for Ukraine is supported by 83 percent of Croats, in the EU by 64 percent. Acceptance of people fleeing war is supported by 91 percent of respondents in Croatia, 86 percent in the EU, reports Eurobarometer.
Citizens in Croatia somewhat more strongly support reducing the EU’s dependence on Russian energy sources as quickly as possible (91 percent) compared to the EU average (82 percent). Most citizens in Croatia and throughout the European Union support the energy transition.
