Public opinion has become increasingly important when it comes to furthering European integration. This thesis looks into the dichotomy of public opinion in Bulgaria, in which support for the EU...Show morePublic opinion has become increasingly important when it comes to furthering European integration. This thesis looks into the dichotomy of public opinion in Bulgaria, in which support for the EU has remained relatively high for the period since the country’s accession to the EU, while support for the euro has become relatively low. By employing a benchmarking theory, which posits that people’s attitudes towards the EU and its policies are formed in comparison to national contexts, this thesis seeks to explain this dichotomy. The analysis of Eurobarometer data from the past 13 years combined with analysis of online news media data provides an insight into why Bulgarians support the EU (as a regime) more than the euro (a specific policy). This thesis finds that while distrust in national institutions and the bleak economic performance boosts support for the EU, the same distrust might play a role in the negative perceptions towards the euro. While Bulgarians tend to trust the EU’s institutions and evaluate the EU economy better than the national one, they fear price increase, loss of control over economic policies, and even losing a part of their national identity when it comes to euro adoption.Show less
