Public support for NATO and EU in Bulgaria is growing: Open Society Institute

After the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, almost twice as many Bulgarians prefer the country to be in alliance with NATO and the EU - 45%, than those who chose an alliance with Russia - 22%. This is according to a nationally representative study commissioned by the Open Society Institute. 

Nearly 4% of Bulgarians prefer neutrality. People who cannot judge or do not answer the question are almost 30%. Data compared to 2022 show an increase in the share of supporters of an alliance with the EU and NATO by 6%.

Supporters of Russia and Belarus decrease, but not significantly - by 1%.

Supporters of an alliance with NATO and the EU are the majority in all age groups.

Supporters of NATO and the EU dominate among supporters of GERB, MRF and "We Continue the Change" political parties. The voters of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and Vazrazhdane party are in favour of an alliance with Russia. Among MRF voters, support for the EU and NATO has doubled compared to 2022, from 21% to 48%.