Public confidence in Serbia’s state institutions has seen a marked decline, with nearly 60% of citizens expressing a lack of trust in the national government, according to the latest Standard Eurobarometer 105 survey.
The findings, commissioned by the European Commission and conducted in the spring of 2026, suggest a growing sense of pessimism regarding the country’s domestic trajectory and its alignment with European standards.
A Growing Crisis of Confidence
The survey results highlight a significant rift between the Serbian public and its leadership. When asked about their level of trust in the executive branch:
- 59% of respondents stated they “tend not to trust” the government.
- 39% of respondents maintained their trust in the administration.
This data reflects a negative trend compared to late 2025, signaling that internal policy decisions or economic pressures may be eroding the government’s mandate in the eyes of the electorate.
The “Direction of Travel” Debate
The survey also gauged the general mood regarding Serbia’s future path. The results indicate a shift toward skepticism:
- 57% of citizens believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, an increase from 53% in the autumn of 2025.
- 39% of citizens feel the country is on the right track, down from 43% in the previous polling cycle.
Strategic Ambiguity and EU Integration
The decline in trust comes at a delicate time for Belgrade’s relationship with Brussels. While the Serbian government continues to maintain that EU accession is its primary strategic goal, the Eurobarometer data coincides with increased international scrutiny over the country’s rule of law and foreign policy alignment.
Key Factors Influencing Public Sentiment:
- Rule of Law Concerns: Recent legislative changes in Serbia have been characterized by EU officials as “steps backward” regarding judicial independence.
- Economic Strain: High living costs and inflation continue to dominate the concerns of the average household, overshadowing macroeconomic growth figures promoted by the state.
- Media Environment: Analysts suggest that a media landscape often polarized between pro-government narratives and anti-EU rhetoric has left the public disillusioned with the integration process.
Regional Perspective
Despite the domestic dissatisfaction, the Eurobarometer report shows that the European Union as an institution retains a more favorable image among Serbians than their own national government, though support for EU membership remains lower in Serbia than in neighboring candidate countries like Albania or Montenegro.
The report serves as a stark warning for the Serbian leadership as it navigates a complex 2026 political calendar, with the European Commission expected to demand more concrete reforms in exchange for progress on accession chapters.
