Cypriots are happy with life, but they overwhelmingly do not trust politicians or the EU for that matter, according to national analysis of the Eurobarometer.
According to Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Ierotheos Papadopoulos, 85% of Cypriots said they were satisfied with their lives compared with an EU average of 83%.
A large majority (84%) of Cypriots do not trust political parties, 67% do not trust parliament and 63% do not trust the government (11% and 17% more than in the spring 2018). They mostly place their trust in the army (61%) and the police (52%).
The Irish are the most satisfied in Europe (97%) and the Greeks are the most unsatisfied with only 49% replying they were satisfied with their lives.
Compared to six months ago, there is a slight increase of 3% more Cypriots confident in the European Union, which is now 41%. However, a majority 52% of Cypriots (EU average: 48%) still say that they do not trust the EU.
Papadopoulos said that the positive image of Cypriot citizens vis-à-vis the EU has increased compared to the beginning of 2018, adding that Cypriots "are more positive, they show greater confidence in the EU, they are more optimistic about the future of Europe."
According to the Eurobarometer, Cypriots say they are optimistic about the future of the EU, (53%, -1% since Spring 2018), which is, however, lower than the European average (58%).
More than 70% of participants in the survey believe that the interests of Cyprus are not taken into account in the EU (74%, +9%, EU28: 43%), which is the second highest in the EU after Greece.
However, 59% of Cypriots do not believe Cyprus could face the future challenges better outside the EU (+3%, EU28: 61%).
Most important issues that their country is facing at the moment is the economic situation (39%, -10% from Spring 2018, second highest in the EU after Greece, EU28: 15%) and unemployment (32%, -8%, fifth highest in the EU, EU28: 23%).
They said the most important issues that the EU is faced with at present (for both Cypriots and Europeans) are immigration (52%, +11% from Spring 2018, EU28: 40%, +2%), terrorism (26%, -18%, EU28: 20%, -9%), as well as the economic situation (22%, -4%, EU28: 18%).
According to the survey the issues which concern Turkish Cypriots are the rise in prices, taxation, unemployment and, more generally, the economic situation.
Their confidence in the European Union is 52%, which is higher than the EU average (42%) and 41% in the areas controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
