The Slovenia Times

Slovenians worry over inflation, oppose higher defence spending

Economy

Ljubljana - The views of Slovenians and EU citizens on the consequences of and concerns over the war in Ukraine are broadly aligned, shows an international survey. Slovenians are most concerned about rising prices and the possibility of a world war, and they are less in favour of further investment in military and the idea of a European army.

The survey on the war in Ukraine and its consequences was conducted in March by pollster Gallup International and covered 24 EU member states, including Slovenia, as well as Switzerland and Serbia.

Slovenian participants' overall confidence in the EU is just under 60%, and exactly half of them believe that EU unity is currently strong or very strong. The bloc's strong unity is most felt in Sweden and Finland, while the Czech Republic, Greece and Bulgaria feel the least that the EU is united.

In what is similar to the EU average, more than three quarters of Slovenians think that the EU should have a more active role in global politics.

Slovenians are as concerned about the war in Ukraine as the average EU citizen. Almost all of the Slovenian participants expressed concern over inflation, and 75% are worried over weakening of the Slovenian economy due to sanctions against Russia and over the prospect of a world war.

Some 67% are concerned about the potential shortage of energy products, and 64% fear the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons. Nearly 90% of Slovenians assess that their country is dependent or very dependent on Russia's energy.

Only a third think that Slovenia's army is generally adequately equipped and trained. This is lower than the average in Europe of some 45%.

On the other hand, Slovenians are not in favour of investing more in the military. Only 26% of them think that defence spending should be increased, compared to 52% at EU level. Moreover, 34% of Slovenians think that defence funding should be further reduced, the highest percentage in any member state.

Slovenians are meanwhile completely divided on the issue of the common European army - half are in favour of this and the other half against. The EU average of those in favour is 60% with Serbians being the most opposed to the idea.

Asked about the sanctions imposed against Russia, 47% Slovenians find them appropriate, slightly above the EU average, and about a third of Slovenians believe they could be further stepped up.

Slovenians are generally in favour of accepting refugees from Ukraine in the same proportion as Europeans are, but compared to the EU they are more on the side of regulated and less on the side of unrestricted admission of people from Ukraine. Such a stance is even more pronounced in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.

The survey was carried out between 7 and 22 March among a total of 24,509 respondents. In Slovenia, the survey was conducted by the pollster Mediana among 735 adults.

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