Skopje, 10 July 2023 (MIA) – Increased support for EU membership, low trust in the rule of law, and divisions over local and national direction, shows the survey published by the Center for Insights in Survey Research at the International Republic Institute (IRI) in North Macedonia. The survey was carried out in the April 8 – May 4 period of 2023, through face-to-face interviews in the respondents’ homes, on a national representative sample of 1.204 respondents, aged 18 and older.

In a press release, the Institute notes that when asked if they support the country’s integration within the European Union, 79 percent of adults respondent “yes”, which is an increase of six percent from a poll conducted last October.

“The increase of support for EU membership is a sign that Western institutions offer hope for a successful future… Macedonians see integration with a democratic bloc like the EU as a key to peace and prosperity.” says Paul McCarthy, Director for Europe at IRI. 

The poll, says the press release, also found that most people do not have confidence in the rule of law. Only 31 percent agreed that the law equally applies to all people in North Macedonia, which is an all-time low, with 65 percent of respondents disagreeing with the statement.

“Our survey shows that fewer people have confidence in the equal application of the law,” says McCarthy, adding that “this will need to be addressed by leaders in Skopje if they want to instill confidence in the government and the country’s political institutions.” 

Additionally, citizens in North Macedonia are divided on the direction of their local self-government compared to the national direction. Twenty-eight percent of Macedonians feel their municipality is moving in the right direction, while only 14 percent feel the same about the country as a whole.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Center for Insights in Survey Research by Brima market research firm (member of  KANTAR Group). The data was weighted for age, gender, education, region, urban/rural residence, and ethnicity. The margin of error for the full sample does not exceed ± 2.8 points at a 95 percent confidence level. The response rate was 74 percent.    

The survey was conducted with support from the National Endowment for Democracy.

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