Građani Srbije i Evropska unija: Razlike na osnovu partijske identifikacije
CITIZENS OF SERBIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION: DIFFERENCES BASED ON PARTY IDENTIFICATION

Author(s): Irena Ristić
Subject(s): Politics, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Politics and Identity
Published by: Институт друштвених наука
Keywords: European Union; Serbia; membership; public opinion; party identification
Summary/Abstract: The attitudes of the citizens of Serbia towards the European Union (EU), as well as their attitude towards the European integration of Serbia have been regularly monitored by public opinion polls since 2001. These data show significant fluctuations in support for Serbia’s EU membership: while from 2001-2010 that support ranged from 60% to 70%, there was a decade-long downward trend that started in 2010, and during this period the support fell to between 45% and 55%. While public opinion polls mainly show the value for the entire population, this paper will look into the attitudes of Serbian citizens towards the EU based on their party identification. The findings show a strong support for the European integration of Serbia among the citizens close to liberal parties, although a their disproportionate strong disillusionment with the European Union. Among the citizens close to the parties from the right side of the political spectrum, there is a relative consistency when it comes to the opposition to Serbia’s EU membership and personal feelings towards the EU as a political community. Finally, and this being the most significant finding, the attitudes of the citizens close to the ruling parties do not indicate any particular preference when it comes to the EU membership of Serbia, while their feelings towards the EU are also very indifferent.

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