Survey: Bulgaria Leads NATO Nations in Desire to Leave

A recent survey has revealed that while the majority of Bulgarians support their country's NATO membership, a significant 30 percent would vote to leave the alliance, placing Bulgaria at the top among all 32 member countries in terms of withdrawal inclination.

The poll, conducted ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, showed that 59 percent of Bulgarians prefer their country to remain in NATO, which is the lowest support percentage among NATO nations. Additionally, 11 percent of respondents were undecided on the matter. Excluding those undecided, the percentages shift to 66 percent in favor of staying in NATO versus 34 percent for leaving.

These findings were part of a broader survey distributed in Brussels, reflecting opinions across member states. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg referenced the survey results during a press conference, noting that 70 percent of citizens across NATO countries would vote to stay in the alliance, with only 14 percent preferring to leave. He emphasized widespread support for continued aid to Ukraine among NATO members.

Regarding Bulgaria specifically, the survey indicated that 61 percent of Bulgarians believe NATO membership enhances their country's security. This sentiment places Bulgaria ahead of several other NATO nations, including Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia, and the USA, in terms of confidence in NATO's security guarantees. Conversely, 29 percent of Bulgarians expressed concerns that NATO membership might not ensure their country's safety, a figure exceeded only by Italians.

The survey also highlighted that 69 percent of Bulgarians consider NATO membership important for their country's future security, a sentiment shared equally with Italians. However, opinions varied among...