Almost 50% of the Moldovans would vote for joining the European Union in a referendum that would be held next Sunday. 45.7% would vote for joining the Russia – Belarus – Kazakhstan Customs Union, shows a Sociopolitical Barometer produced by the Marketing and Polling Institute IMAS-INC Chisinau. The survey was commissioned by IPN Agency.

Asked about the measures taken by the authorities to come closer to the EU, 49% of those polled said that certain progress was made, 6% consider significant progress was achieved, 22% believe that things were stagnant, while 8% said the situation worsened. The others couldn’t give an answer or preferred not to give one.

In a news conference at IPN, IMAS manager general Doru Petruti said that 56% of those questioned know about the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, where Moldova is to initial the Association Agreement with the EU. Since the last poll conducted in May, the number of those who know about this event has increased. Thus, the information campaigns produced results.

44% of the respondents consider that Moldova will manage to initial the Association Agreement with the EU at the Vilnius EaP Summit, 33% are skeptical, while 23% didn’t know how to answer. As to the post-summit period, 34% believe that living standards will improve slightly then, 22% believe the quality of life will improve a little or not at all, while 19% wait for major changes.

The data were collected between October 19 and November 11 on a sample of 1,126 people from 76 settlements. The margin of sampling error is 3%. The research represents the continuation of a project launched in May.