Belarusians value stability and trust the President

Key current highlights from a counter-survey conducted by Serbian and Belarusian sociological centres

The development of relations with friendly states requires constant consideration of public opinion and requests. One of the ways is to conduct counter-research where two sociological centres simultaneously organise a representative survey in their respective countries using a similar methodology and pre-agreed tools (questionnaire). Such a counter-survey between Belarus and Serbia was conducted in December 2024. In Serbia, the public opinion poll was conducted by the Institute for International Politics and Economics with the involvement of House of Win, an independent research centre, via telephone interviews (covering 1,590 respondents). In Belarus, the survey was conducted by the Centre for Social and Humanitarian Studies of the Belarusian State Economic University via door-to-door interviews (covering 1,500 respondents). The main goal was to identify the peculiarities of mutual perception of Belarusians and Serbs, to determine the most promising areas of co-operation and development of friendly relations between the two countries.

Belgrade, Serbia                TASS

Dušan Proroković: Serbia knows that Belarus is an agro-industrial powerhouse

  Western sanctions pressure doesn’t affect Serbs’ perception of Belarus as strategically significant partner, the poll shows.
Serbs consider agriculture, food and trade to be the most promising areas of co-operation with Belarus — as noted by Senior Research Fellow Dušan Proroković, Director of the Centre for Eurasian Studies at the Institute of International Politics and Economics, when referring to a recent opinion poll.

Serbs see the development of long-term relations between Serbia and Belarus as promising, especially in the sphere of agriculture and food (51.3 percent), trade (28.6 percent) and mechanical engineering (26.6 percent). Within the framework of economic relations, Serbs emphasise the importance of developing trade and wider representation of the two countries’ products in the markets of Belarus and Serbia. Among the most famous Belarusian brands are the leaders of mechanical engineering (MAZ, MTZ), flagships of household appliances (Atlant, Gefest), manufacturers of cosmetics (Belita) and confectionery (Kommunarka). 

According to Serbs, education, tourism, culture and religion are priority areas for the development of co-operation in the social sphere.
Serbs also consider it necessary to develop liaisons with Belarus in such areas as manufacturing (80.9 percent), education and science (78.7 percent), trade and economy (77.8 percent), tourism (70.2 percent), culture (67.3 percent), society (64.1 percent), religion (56.4 percent), and finance (40.1 percent).
“It was very interesting for us to see what our society, citizens think about Belarus. For me, the most important thing is that this is the first step for further research. We need to think not only at the political but also at the scientific level how to make progress, how to develop bilateral relations with friendly states. Belarus is on the first line here, and the first step is this research,” Mr. Proroković emphasised. “Our society supports co-operation with the Republic of Belarus. Serbia can be a window for Belarusian products to the European Union because of the agreements we have with the EU, while Belarus can be a window for our production in the EAEU. The space for interaction is wide. We can do joint projects in the economy. Your MAZ and BelAZ vehicles work well in Serbia. Serbia knows that Belarus is an agro-industrial powerhouse. You have a very strong agro-industrial complex, while the development of tourism will help us learn more about each other.” 
It is noteworthy that the Western sanctions pressure exerted on Belarus does not affect the perception of Belarus by Serbs as a strategically significant partner.

85.5 percent of Belarusians plan to participate in Presidential election

Taking into account the fact that the social research coincided in time with the election campaign in Belarus, a separate block of questions in the Belarusian part of the study focused on citizens’ assessment of the socio-political situation and citizens’ electoral priorities.
Respondents were asked if they were going to take part in the upcoming election. 85.5 percent of respondents answered positively, and 4.8 percent replied negatively, while 9.7 percent have not made up their minds yet.
85.5 percent of Belarusians plan to participate in the Presidential election in Belarus — as noted by Irina Lashuk, Head of Economic Sociology and Psychology of Entrepreneurship Department, Head of the Belarusian State Economic University’s Centre for Social and Humanitarian Studies, when announcing data from the sociological survey.

“People are going to participate in the election, make their conscious political and strategic choice. The survey showed the stability of the socio-political situation and the cohesion of the society,” Ms. Lashuk said.

82.5 percent of Belarusians ready to vote for incumbent President

Respondents were asked who they would vote for if the election was held today. 82.5 percent of those polled answered ‘For incumbent Head of State’, 2.9 percent replied ‘For alternative candidate’, 7.9 percent said they would choose the ‘None of the above’ option, and 6.7 percent admitted they wouldn’t vote.

Belarusians expect stability and security from future President

Respondents were asked to answer the question of what they expect from the elected President, and 57.3 percent of them answered: a stable and safe life. 12.9 percent of those questioned named the dynamic development of the economy, 7.8 percent — an increase in social guarantees for citizens, 6.8 percent — Belarus’ enhanced role and status in the international arena, 6.3 percent — creation of conditions for the youth’s self-fulfilment, 5.7 percent — improved co-operation with other countries, 1.5 percent — closer relations with Slavic states, and 0.7 percent — further development of parties and civil society. 0.9 percent of the respondents’ comment was ‘Other’.
Belarusians expect a stable and safe life, as well as the dynamic development of the economy from a person to be elected as President — as noted by Irina Lashuk, when commenting on the sociological poll results.

“A stable and safe life tops the ranking, this is what Europe lacks. Belarusians understand and realise the value of a stable and safe life and expect this in the coming five years,” the expert underlined.

Belarusians feel confident about economic development in next five years, poll suggests.
More than 73 percent of Belarusians believe that the economic situation in the country will remain the same or become even better in five years — as remarked by Irina Lashuk.
Respondents were asked how they think the economic situation in the country will change in five years’ time. 73.1 percent of those surveyed believe it will remain the same or improve, 2.4 percent think it will slightly worsen, while 1.3 percent believe it will deteriorate significantly.
“This suggests that Belarusians perceive the country’s economy as quite stable. They are confident in the development of the economy,” Ms. Lashuk pointed out. “Objective indicators of economic development are convincing for forming the opinion of citizens. They are guided by objective economic indicators and draw their own conclusions, which shows their confidence in the future.”
23.2 percent of those polled found it difficult to answer.
“These are people who are not very familiar with these objective indicators; they are not very interested in them. In general, the fact that people do not think about how the economy will develop is also a positive moment. Because if everything is fine, why think about it? This shows that there is no crisis,” the expert added.

Slavic peoples share similar traditions, values, mentality

Respondents were asked of what advantages of Belarus create the basis for co-operation with Serbia and other Slavic countries, and the results were as follows: 43.5 percent of those asked believe Belarus is a country that boasts high human potential, 41.5 percent — Belarus is an eco-friendly country, 35.5 percent — Belarus is an agrarian country with rural culture, 31 percent — Belarus is a reliable ally and partner in the international arena, 29.8 percent — Belarus is a bridge between civilisations, between the West and the East, 22.5 percent — Belarus is an international negotiating platform, 21.9 percent — Belarus is a donor of peace and stability in the region, and 21.1 percent — Belarus is a state of social justice.
“During our work, we studied not only the position of Belarusians towards Serbs, but also towards themselves. In this regard, certain differences were revealed. For example, Serbs say that Belarus is more of an agro-industrial country, while Belarusians believe their country boasts high human potential. It is a very good position, which tops the poll results. It is followed by the position that Belarus is an eco-friendly country. The agricultural production — as an important component of the country — is next in line. These data indicate that we perceive ourselves more profoundly,” Ms. Lashuk noted.
Another mirror question that was asked to Belarusians and Serbs during the study was in what areas it is necessary to develop co-operation between Belarus and Serbia. “The results were similar,” the expert commented, noting that it also speaks to the countries’ common interests. “These are primarily manufacturing, education and science, the trade and economic sphere, and the tourism sector — which is very important against the background of sanctions. Tourism is developing towards the countries that are friendly to us, and it is logical. We have very serious resources for each other here,” Ms. Lashuk stressed.
Slavic peoples are united by similar traditions, values, and mentality — as noted by Irina Lashuk, when commenting on the sociological poll results.

Minsk, Belarus        belta 

Based on the respondents’ comments, the cultural factors uniting various Slavic countries, including Serbia, are among the main ones, and they cover the kinship of traditions, languages, and mentality. Belarusians attribute diligence, thrift, politeness, kindness and benevolence, mutual assistance, hospitality, openness, and peacefulness to the common distinguishing features of our peoples. “From the point of view of ordinary people, we are more united by the culture. The respondents admit the similarity of mentality, traditions, and languages,” Ms. Lashuk clarified. “Belarusians are very actively interested in the international agenda today,” the expert added. “More than 80 percent of them are interested in the country’s international agenda, and this indicates a high level of public engagement. It is clear that Russia and China are Belarus’ major strategic partners, but there is an interest in Slavic countries — primarily, Serbia — as well. That’s why we initiated this study.”
According to Dušan Proroković, respect for traditions, patriotism, and peacefulness are among the characteristics of Belarusians’ identity.
Serbs shared a positive attitude towards Belarusians, emphasising such traits as respect for traditions (41.2 percent), patriotism (37.2 percent), love of freedom (35.8 percent), and peacefulness (18.2 percent). The peoples of Serbia and Belarus are similar in their Orthodox faith, cultural traditions, values and mentality, as well as the kinship of the countries to the Slavic world in general. “Belarusians and Serbs are similar in mentality. We are part of the Orthodox, Slavic world,” Mr. Proroković said. “There is a strong pressure of the European Union in Serbia regarding the LGBT community, gender policy, and so on. You do not have such a policy. Therefore, Belarusians are perceived as patriots who respect their traditions.” 
The Belarusian research toolkit is based on a wide range of foreign policy issues, taking into account the consistent deepening of the republic’s integration into the post-Soviet space, Greater Eurasia and the European Union. In general, the topic of international relations finds a wide response among citizens and arouses interest among 81 percent of them. According to those questioned, in addition to Belarus’ main strategic allies — Russia and China — co-operation with Serbia is among the top foreign policy priorities.

Concluding the presentation of the results following the conducted opinion poll, Irina Lashuk expressed the opinion that ‘this comparative study is the first step in the scientific understanding of the mass consciousness of Belarusians and Serbs. It is worth developing further in this direction, there are great prospects in this regard.’