The online survey “Tvoj stav o 2017” (3 February 2017; 600 participants) depicts a society that simultaneously shares emotions toward symbols of both the past and the present, while remaining deeply divided over the European path and trust in institutions.
The most striking finding is a “double nostalgia.” A majority say they know the lyrics of Serbia’s national anthem and that it evokes positive feelings (56.31%), but an almost identical share say the same about the SFRY (Yugoslav) anthem (57.48%). This suggests identity is not one-dimensional, and that symbols are often interpreted through personal biography, not only politics.
When the survey turns to “hard” political issues, resistance to EU conditionality is pronounced. Only 13.95% would continue EU integration if aligning with sanctions against Russia were required, while 58.97% are against it. Kosovo produces a similar pattern: 46.84% do not accept continuing integration if the condition is a good-neighbourliness agreement with Kosovo (28.24% are in favour). At the same time, a majority support a papal visit to Serbia (55.32%), indicating that symbolic and diplomatic topics can attract broader backing than geopolitical “conditions.”
The strongest support goes to restoring the death penalty for the most serious crimes (62.79%), pointing to a powerful sense of insecurity and a demand for “harsher justice.” Likewise, the idea of local anti-corruption bodies made up of people with integrity, without party participation, receives near-plebiscitary support (81.89%)—a clear signal that citizens want mechanisms of control outside party channels.
Trust in electoral conditions is weak: 39.04% believe there are no fair conditions, while only 29.07% think there are. In that context, it is not surprising that the largest single answer to the question of presidential choice is “no one” (25.08%), alongside a high share of “no opinion” (15.95%). Still, when predicting the winner, the most common expectation is a Vučić victory in a scenario without Nikolić (30.56%), while 28.24% say they cannot predict.
Another notable point is the “economic motive” for participating in micro-surveys during the campaign: 46.68% would participate in any case, but as many as 40.03% would do so if paid up to 50 dinars. This raises questions about trust, motivation, and the “attention market” in digital politics.
Methodological note: the sample is online and self-selected, so results are not representative of Serbia’s population.