Montenegrin Surveys Reveal EU, NATO Skepticism

The results of one opinion poll conducted by TV Vijesti and research agency Ipsos Strategic Marketing show that 82 per cent of Montenegrins have a favourable view of Vujanovic.

"Vujanovic’s high rating is the result of the fact that his statements were largely conciliatory and do not polarise the public. In addition, he does not hold an executive function, meaning that he does not have to make decisions that cause contradictory reactions of citizens on a daily basis," Radomir Krackovic from the Research Center of TV Vijesti said.

Ipsos Strategic Marketing conducted the survey on a sample of 802 respondents during the period January 21-23.

The poll’s results show that the second most popular politician in the country is Vanja Calovic, the executive director of the Network for Affirmation of the NGO Sector, with 77 per cent of respondents offering a favourable opinion. Third was Prime Minister Igor Luksic with a 72 per cent favourability rating.

The survey indicates that the most popular opposition leader is Srdjan Milic, president of the Socialist People's Party, for whom 56 per cent of respondents said they held a favourable opinion.

The survey also shows that 45 per cent of respondents believe that Montenegro is on the right path. 42 per cent believe the country is going in the wrong direction.

A separate survey conducted by the NGO CEDEM shows that the five most popular politicians in Montenegro are President Filip Vujanovic, Prime Minister Igor Luksic, former Montenegrin leader Milo Djukanovic, Mayor of Podgorica Miomir Mugosa, and President of Socialist People Party, SNP, Srdjan Milic.

The survey also indicates that Montenegrins' support for joining the EU has dropped. In 2009, 76.1 per cent of Montenegrins reported that they wanted to join the EU. Today, some 62 per cent of respondents believe that Montenegro should become an EU member state.

The poll also reveals that support for NATO membership is in decline. In a survey conducted in December of 2010, 35.4 per cent of Montenegrins said they supported joining NATO. According to the most recent poll, 31 per cent of people in Montenegro support the idea of NATO membership.