**Trust in EU Drops in Georgia**
A recent survey conducted by the European Union has found that trust in the EU among Georgians has decreased significantly. According to the Eurobarometer survey, which was carried out between March 27 and April 17, 2025, only 49% of respondents now trust the EU.
This is a decline of 9 percentage points from autumn 2024, when 58% of Georgians trusted the EU. It’s also 17 percentage points lower than in spring 2024, when 66% of respondents expressed their trust in the EU. This drop in trust suggests that many Georgians are growing increasingly skeptical about the benefits of EU membership.
Another concerning trend is the increase in negative views towards the EU. The survey found that 18% of Georgians now have a negative view of the EU, up from 10% in autumn 2024 and 7% in spring 2024. This rise in negativity could be a sign that more people are questioning the EU’s role in Georgian politics and economy.
The impact on EU membership is also evident in the survey results. Only 60% of Georgians now believe that EU membership would be beneficial for their country, down from 69% in autumn 2024 and 74% in spring 2024. Similarly, the percentage of respondents who think Georgia would benefit from EU membership has declined to 75%, compared to 82% in autumn 2024 and 86% in spring 2024.
It’s worth noting that while trust in the EU is declining, Georgians still have relatively high levels of confidence in their government. The survey found that 51% of respondents trust the Georgian government, which is a slightly higher figure than the 45% who trust the Georgian Parliament.
**Commentary**
The decline in trust in the EU among Georgians is a worrying trend for Brussels. It suggests that the country’s pro-EU politicians and officials may need to work harder to convince citizens of the benefits of membership. The increase in negative views towards the EU could also be a sign that Georgia is becoming increasingly divided along pro- and anti-EU lines.
In this context, it’s essential for Georgian policymakers to understand the reasons behind the decline in trust and take concrete steps to address them. This might include increasing transparency and accountability in decision-making processes, improving communication with citizens about EU policies and their impact on everyday life, or providing more opportunities for Georgians to engage with the EU.
By doing so, Georgia can work towards strengthening its relationship with the EU and building a stronger foundation for future cooperation.
