Download the full data analysis: INSCOP-Full-data-analysis_West vs. East survey

General conclusions of the survey

1. The survey data reveal a strong adherence of Romanians to core western values, coupled with stricter expectations and demand for more pragmatic advantages of Euro-Atlantic integration amid the strengthening of a wave favoring views that are close to nationalist ideology. Economic patriotism seems to play a key role in the crystallization of these trends, rather than ethnic nationalism, which is more marginal (over 87% of respondents believe that Romania must protect the rights of ethnic minorities on its territory). Romanians are still firmly loyal to the West, appreciating their belonging to western society. However, compared to the unconditional acceptance from 10–15 years ago, the majority of the population has become much more pragmatic in its judgment, which has become filtered by the perception of certain advantages and disadvantages of an economic nature. In other words, Romania seems to have progressed to a new phase of connection with the western world in which the quantification of national interest via economic benefits is beginning to be more strongly acknowledged. This strongly influences the way in which the population interprets various key topics of public interest, such as the perpetuation of the myth of Romania’s exploitation by foreigners.
2. The strategic relationship with the United States is interpreted on the same pragmatic note. Three quarters of the population agree that the presence of American military bases in Romania will help defend the country in case of external aggression. Over 70% consider that the U.S.A. has a rather positive influence on Romania. Nevertheless, over 45% believe that the acquisition of advanced weaponry from the U.S.A. helps the arms manufacturers’ profits, rather than the Romanian Army.
3. There is a visible dissonance between the net support that Romanians offer the pro-Western geopolitical orientation of the country (over 80% of the population) and views that seem to value the national dimension (for example, over 60% of respondents believe that Romania should defend its national interests when they disagree with the rules of the European Union, even if it risks losing its position as a Member State, despite over 60% also believing that joining the European Union has brought the country more advantages than disadvantages.) The European project and its survival is strongly supported by Romanians, 75% of whom do not believe that the European Union should disband.
4. The dissonance is visible in the sense that the adherence of Romanians towards the West is clear and unambiguous, yet we observe an accumulation of frustrations with an obviously economic substratum that are generated by the slow narrowing of the gap between Romania and developed countries and by the feeling of being deliberately exploited by external entities. In this sense, it is relevant that myths fueled by constant disinformation campaigns have managed to cause damage to the collective imagination, given that over 55% of Romanians believe that Romania is a colony of the European Union and of the United States, an opinion that has an obvious economic dimension. Moreover, more than half of the respondents believe that some European countries are blocking Romania’s admission to the Schengen Area for economic reasons, and 55% would be inclined to vote for a party that promoted the nationalization of companies that exploit natural resources.
5. Classic elements of the classical nationalist agenda, such as the persecution of foreigners and foreign companies, are beginning to become topics of concern, especially when they are associated with issues of high public sensitivity such as pollution or illegal logging. Almost half of Romanians believe that foreign companies are responsible for illegal logging in Romania, and over 55% believe that the pollution in the country is caused by foreign companies.
6. The 16% level of trust in Russia is far behind the 50% and higher reported level of trust in Western countries; however, Russia is visibly more popular among the young, and especially the very young respondents (18–29 years old). The potential of Russia’s positive perception increasing is not to be neglected, given that over 40% of the respondents agree that Russia defends traditional values ​​from the moral decadence of western countries.
7. The union of Bessarabia with Romania remains a popular topic among Romanians, even gaining electoral traction if promoted by a sufficiently strong party, confirming the rise of the nationalist strand.
8. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) is proving to be the most successful political formation in the last 15 years among those that openly assume a nationalist ideology and promote ultra-conservative values. The party’s becoming ranked third among parties supported by Romanian voters reinforces the conclusion that Romania is facing a political wave that is consolidating this political agenda.
9. More than half of Romanians believe they have been personally exposed to fake news and disinformation in recent months, and almost 60% believe that some countries support propaganda and disinformation actions in Romania—with Russia, the European Union, and China being the main sources identified by respondents. Seeing awareness of the phenomenon across all audiences is good news that can facilitate the processes of countering the most blatantly disruptive narratives
10. More than half of Romanians do not trust any news source, with distrust in the media being one of the worst consequences of the fake news and disinformation phenomena. The most popular channels are, in order: radio, television, media, and social media websites. The ranking indicates that the population correctly identifies the most vulnerable and unfiltered platforms (social networks), thus limiting the spread of fake news.

Download the graphic presentation: INSCOP-Full-graphic presentation_West vs. East survey

Download the full data analysis: INSCOP-Full-data-analysis_West vs. East survey

The survey was conducted by INSCOP Research and Verifield in partnership with the Communication and Social Innovation Research Center (CoRe) from the Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. The study was a part of an independent research project initiated and coordinated by the think-tank STRATEGIC Thinking Group – (www.strategicthinking.ro).

DATA ANALYSIS

The opinion poll, conducted between January 13 and February 3, 2021, is an independent assessment of Romanians’ views on anti-COVID19 vaccination. The sociological research is divided into three chapters:

1. Chapter 1: Vaccination intention
2. Chapter 2. Vaccination campaign
3. Chapter 3. Information / Disinformation about vaccination

More than half of Romanians (55.2 percent) say they intend to take the COVID-19 vaccine this year, 54.8 percent believe that mass immunization will stop the coronavirus epidemic, and 83 percent say that vaccination must be a personal choice.

Of those who do not intend to get the vaccine, 49 percent say their decision is final, while 49 percent say they may change their mind in the future; 2 percent do not know or do not to answer.

The main reasons given by those who do not want to get vaccinated are: the fear of possible side effects – 30.9 percent; distrust of the effectiveness of serum – 26.8 percent; insufficient information about COVID-19 immunization – 14.7 percent. Also, 12.7 percent said that they refuse to get vaccinated because they do not believe in the existence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and 5.8 percent are against vaccines in general. 8.2 percent gave another reason and 0.9 percent did not answer.

The survey also found that 68.3 percent of Romanians believe that the coronavirus epidemic is real and poses a threat for health, 17.2 percent believe that it is real but not dangerous to health, 10.4 percent consider that it is a lie, and 4 percent do not know or do not answer.

54.8 percent of Romanians consider that mass vaccination against Covid19 will stop the coronavirus epidemic, 33.7 percent consider the opposite, and 11.5 percent do not know or do not answer.

Also, 83 percent of Romanians say that the coronavirus vaccination should be a personal choice of each citizen, 16.4 percent believe that it should be mandatory, and 0.6 percent do not know or do not answer.

Almost all respondents (92.6%) have heard of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the European Union. 7.2% had not heard of this campaign, and 0.3% do not know or do not answer.

According to the survey, 73.2% of respondents have a good opinion of the EU’s decision of negotiating and acquiring the anti-COVID-19 vaccines for immunizing the population of all member states, 22.5% think it was a bad idea and 4.3% do not know or do not answer.

Nearly half of all Romanians (49.5%) consider that the information regarding the anti-COVID-19 vaccine and the national immunization offered by the authorities is useful, but insufficient.

From the information they have, 56% of respondents believe that the national campaign of vaccination against COVID-19 was well and very well prepared, 39.3% say it was poorly and really poorly and 4.1% do not know or do not answer.

More than half (53%) of Romanians trust the administration of vaccines in the points established outside the medical units, including mobile caravans, 45.3% do not trust, and 1.8% do not know or do not answer.

Most Romanians (51.6%) trust the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (USA-Germany). 44.1% trust the Moderna vaccine (USA), 38.5% the AstraZeneca vaccine (Great Britain-Sweden), 17.8 % in those developed by China and 17.7% in the Sputnik vaccine (Russia).

Regarding the order established in the vaccination strategy for specific population groups, 85.5% of respondents agree with this, 11.6% do not agree and 2.6% did not know or did not answer.

The research also shows that 49.8% of Romanians consider that the Church, regardless of creed, should support the vaccination campaign, 46.3% that it should not support it and 4% did not know or did not answer.

The involvement of the Army in the national vaccination campaign is considered a good and very good idea by 65.9% of Romanians, a bad and very bad idea by 30.1% and 4% did not know or did not answer.

In the event in which the epidemiological data will indicate the need of a seasonal anti-COVID-19 vaccination, just like the one for the flu, 57.6% responded that they will get immunized yearly, 37.2% that they will not get vaccinated and 5.2% do not know or do not answer.

METHODOLOGY

The survey ”Public perception of vaccination. Romanians’ confidence in  the anti-COVID19 vaccination” was conducted by INSCOP Research and Verifield in partnership with the Communication and Social Innovation Research Center (CoRe) from the Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. The study was commissioned by the think tank Strategic Thinking (www.strategicthinking.ro), as part of an independent research project initiated and coordinated by the Association.

The data was collected between January 13 and February 3 by CATI (phone interviews). The sample of 1,200 of people is representative by significant socio-demographic categories (gender, age, occupation) for the adult population of Romania, aged 18 and over. The maximum permissible data error is ± 2.8% at a 95% confidence level.

A part of the research activities within this independent project initiated by the think tank STRATEGIC Thinking Group was sponsored by AstraZeneca.

Media partners of the project: The Romanian Television Society, Adevărul, G4Media, PSNews.ro, Revista Cultura and Revista 22

Download the graphic presentation: Report vaccination 2021 ENG