According to a Eurobarometer survey cited by German media, the two European countries where citizens most strongly oppose EU enlargement—particularly the accession of Serbia—are:
- Germany
- Austria
In both countries, public support for EU expansion is below the EU average. Around 49% of Germans and 45% of Austrians support enlargement, compared to 56% across the European Union.
Key insights from the survey
- Serbia and Kosovo have among the lowest support levels for EU membership—only about 15% in Germany and Austria.
- Other candidates like Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine also face low support.
- Even Montenegro, often seen as a frontrunner, receives limited backing from these publics.
Why the skepticism?
The report suggests that resistance is partly due to a negative perception of candidate countries, which are often viewed as contributing less economically to the EU.
Interestingly, support would be significantly higher if wealthier countries like Norway or Iceland were candidates.
Bottom line
Public opinion in key EU states like Germany and Austria remains a major obstacle to enlargement, especially for Western Balkan countries, including Serbia.
