Citizens of Sweden, Slovenia, Denmark and Croatia most want to see Montenegro as the next member of the European Union (EU), while the least support for this among the bloc's members was recorded in Austria, France and the Czech Republic - a special Eurobarometer survey related to the EU's attitudes towards enlargement showed.
The survey showed that at the EU level, 51 percent of citizens support Montenegro's membership in that community once it meets all the conditions, 38 percent are against, while 11 percent are undecided.
However, Ukraine has somewhat greater support, with 52 percent of respondents wanting to see it in the EU once it meets all the requirements, while 41 percent are against. Sweden (91 percent), followed by Denmark and Finland (81 percent each) stand out as the countries with the highest level of support for Ukraine.
When it comes to respondents' preferences regarding which current and potential candidate countries they would favor when it comes to joining the EU, Montenegro, the second most favored candidate after Ukraine, is the first choice in seven countries: Slovenia (70%), Hungary (66%), Slovakia (65%), Luxembourg (57%), Poland (52%), Czech Republic (43%) and Austria (40%).
The research shows that in 21 member states at least 50 percent of respondents are in favor of Montenegro's accession to the EU, while in six it is below that percentage, according to the Eurobarometer, which contains the results of a survey conducted between February and March 2025. The research, commissioned by the European Commission, involved 26.319 respondents from various social and demographic groups.
The highest levels of support for Montenegro's EU accession are recorded in Sweden (81 percent), Slovenia (70 percent), Denmark and Croatia (68 percent each). The lowest results were registered in Austria and France (40 percent each), as well as in the Czech Republic (43 percent), followed by Germany (45 percent) and Belgium (49 percent).
Montenegro is supported by young people, managers and the upper class
By gender, men (53 percent) are more likely than women (49 percent) to support Montenegro's membership in the EU, the survey found. By age group, younger respondents aged 15-24 are most likely to support it (60 percent), followed by those aged 25-39 (53 percent). Those over 55 are least likely to support it (46 percent).
By level of education, respondents who are still studying show the highest tendency to support Montenegro's membership (64 percent), followed by those who finished school at the age of 20 or older (59 percent). Respondents who finished school at the age of 15 or younger are least likely to support it (33 percent).
By socio-professional category, students are the most likely to support (64 percent), followed by managers (60 percent).
When it comes to social class, respondents who identify themselves as upper class are most likely to support Montenegro's EU membership (65 percent), followed by those from the upper middle class (64 percent). The least support comes from those who identify themselves as part of the working class (43 percent).
By place of residence, respondents living in large cities are more likely to support Montenegro's membership in the EU (58 percent), compared to those from smaller or medium-sized cities (49 percent) and rural areas or villages (47 percent).
Politically, respondents who identify as left-leaning are most likely to support (62 percent), followed by centrists (50 percent). Right-leaning respondents are least likely to support (46 percent).
69 percent of Montenegrin citizens trust the EU
The results of the survey, which is part of an independent regional public opinion poll for the Western Balkans, within the WeBalkans program, showed that 69 percent of Montenegrin citizens trust the EU, and 39 percent believe that Montenegro will become a member of the EU in the next five years. 37 percent of respondents believe that Montenegro will become a member of the Union in the next five to ten years.
60 percent of Montenegrin citizens have a positive attitude towards the European Union.
As the main obstacles to accession, 32 percent of respondents see widespread corruption, 29 percent organized crime, while 27 percent believe that the economic situation is the main obstacle.
The survey also showed that 75 percent of citizens believe that EU membership would bring more advantages than disadvantages. As the main benefits of EU membership, 40 percent cite open borders, the ability to travel to other EU countries without a visa, 38 percent a better quality of life and standard of living, while 36 percent expect more employment opportunities.
In the event of a referendum on Montenegro's membership in the EU, 64 percent of citizens would vote for entry into the Union, according to the research.
As the main problems due to EU membership, 43 percent point out youth outflow and emigration, 34 percent point out the loss of cultural identity and traditional values, while 26 percent of respondents believe that accession is in the interest of politicians, not citizens.
The three main factors that, according to citizens, would contribute to a more positive attitude towards the EU are the country's economic development, which is supported by 48 percent, while 45 percent of respondents support measures to reduce corruption, and 40 percent support financing of projects at the local level (infrastructure, agriculture, health, environment, culture).
In Serbia, 33 percent of respondents support EU membership
Of the other candidate countries and potential candidates for EU membership, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Moldova have the support of 48 percent of respondents from the Union. Serbia has the support of 47 percent of respondents, Georgia 46, and Albania 45.
DON'T MISS IT
Kosovo's membership in the EU is supported by 43 percent of respondents, and Turkey's by 37 percent.
A survey conducted in six Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, showed that in all Western Balkan countries there is at least a majority support for EU accession, with the exception of Serbia. In Serbia, 33 percent of respondents declared themselves in favor of EU membership.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
