Europeans’ Views on Ukrainian President Zelensky Varies Across Member States
In a groundbreaking Euronews poll conducted by Ipsos, it was found that nearly half of Europeans have a positive opinion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, the sentiment towards Zelensky varies significantly across different member states.
With almost 26,000 respondents from 18 member states participating in the survey ahead of the European Parliament elections, it was revealed that 47% of Europeans view Zelensky positively, while 32% have a negative perception of him. Meanwhile, 21% of participants admitted they do not know enough about the president.
Zelensky emerged as the most favored leader among the eight European figures surveyed by Ipsos, but also the most polarizing as his approval ratings fluctuate drastically.
Zelensky’s Approval Ratings in Different European Regions
In the Nordic region and the Iberian Peninsula, Zelensky received the highest positive marks, with 81% in Finland, 74% in Sweden, 72% in Denmark and Portugal, and 64% in Spain. On the other hand, over half of respondents in Hungary (60%), Greece (57%), and Bulgaria (56%) expressed a negative opinion of the Ukrainian president.
European Perspective on Other Prominent Leaders
The poll also shed light on the opinions of Europeans towards other prominent leaders in the continent. French President Emmanuel Macron ranked second in terms of likability, with 41% of respondents expressing a positive view of him. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received a mix of indifference and negativity, with 38% unsure about him, 29% positive, and 33% negative.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, and Poland’s Donald Tusk received mixed responses, with a significant portion of participants indicating they do not know enough about them.
Controversial Figures in European Politics
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, known for his promotion of illiberal democracy and controversial diplomatic relations, faced significant criticism in the poll, with 48% expressing a negative opinion of him. Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged as the most reviled leader, with 79% of respondents holding a negative view of him.
Overall, the Euronews/Ipsos poll provided valuable insights into how Europeans perceive different political figures in the continent, highlighting the varying opinions and attitudes towards these leaders.
