Slovenian Public Opinion on Europe

The paper examines Slovenians’ perspectives on Europe and the European Union, as revealed by public opinion survey data spanning from 1991 to the present. The data indicate that Slovenian residents have generally held a positive attitude towards the EU, showing a relatively strong sense of belonging to Europe. While there was little widespread Euroscepticism, sporadic instances had surfaced in less economically developed areas and among individuals with lower social standing. Throughout the entire period, it is evident that attitudes towards the EU evolved in response to various events, including campaigns for Slovenia’s EU accession, entry into the Eurozone, economic crises, and more. The relatively strong backing for Slovenia’s EU membership stands in contrast to the relatively low level of trust that Slovenians have in European institutions, reflecting a broader trend of low institutional trust. The outlook for the future trajectory of Slovenes’ attitudes towards the EU remains uncertain. While a shift away from the European idea is not expected under normal circumstances, it could occur in the event of a severe institutional crisis within the EU or a significant erosion of its core values.