Albanians are the most pessimistic of all Western Balkan citizens when it comes to the economic outlook following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with almost half believing the situation will not improve.
The Regional Cooperation Council carried out a Regional Barometer to measure citizens’ perceptions after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Some 66% of those surveyed in Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro believe that the war threatens their local economy, and 30% think this risk is significant.
Around half of those surveyed said the situation will remain the same for the foreseeable future, a third said it will get worse, and only 9% think this will improve.
Kosovo’s citizens are the most optimistic, with 15% believing in a brighter future, while Albanians were the most gloomy, with 46% thinking the situation will get worse. Serbs were second when it comes to a lack of confidence in the situation, with 41% thinking this way.
On a positive note, however, 67% of Macedonians, 66% of Bosnians, 69% of Kosovars and 60% of Serbs are generally satisfied with the way authorities have reacted to the war.
Additionally, 77% of citizens in the region think that there will be an economic decline, 63% have insecurity in gas supply, 35% have economic insecurity, 21% are afraid of the deepening of social and political divisions, 14% are afraid of the slowdown of integration in the EU and 23% fear a new influx of refugees.
In Serbia, fear of an influx of refugees was particularly pronounced, with 41% fearing this.
In all the economies of the region, there are three main concerns in the economic field: Economic decline; supplying food and gas and securing their economy.
Almost all Western Balkan citizens are in favour of economic sanctions against Russia (48%), while almost the same number (45%) disapprove of them. Serbia is the only country in the region which has not joined all EU and US sanctions against Moscow, despite calls to do so.
Citizens from Kosovo lead with 84% in favour of adopting measures joining the sanctions against Russia, while 77% of Serbs are against the sanctions.
Interestingly, up to 71% of respondents from North Macedonia think that economic sanctions should not be imposed on Russia.
North Macedonia, Russia and Montenegro all grapple with Russian influence and disinformation in the public sphere. Meanwhile, Albania and Kosovo have little in the way of similar issues and have both accepted Ukrainian refugees into their respective countries. (Alice Taylor | Exit.al)
Source: euractiv.com
