Moldovans Trust Only the Church and Local Government, According to a Poll

The results of the annual “EU Neighbors East 2026” sociological survey, commissioned by the European Union, revealed a deep crisis of trust in central government bodies and legal institutions among the Moldovan public. The country’s citizens place greater trust in local self-government and religious organizations, while trust in the government and the judicial system remains at a critically low level. GOVORITMD.COM reports this on .

According to the data, the low approval ratings of key state institutions are cause for serious concern. For instance, 75% of respondents do not trust the judicial system, while political parties fare even worse—80% of those surveyed do not trust them. Electoral processes are also met with skepticism: 59% of survey participants do not trust the Central Election Commission, and 58% expressed distrust of the media.

The situation is not much better for the executive and legislative branches of government: 61% of citizens do not trust Parliament, and 56% do not trust the country’s government. It is interesting to note that, against the backdrop of widespread distrust in state institutions, President Maia Sandu still manages to maintain the support of 54% of the population, although her disapproval rating stands at 44%.

Against this backdrop, the Church remains the institution with the highest standing in society, having earned the trust of 77% of citizens. Second place is held by city halls and local councils, whose activities are viewed positively by 67% of respondents, underscoring Moldovans’ desire for decentralization and for authorities to be responsive to the pressing concerns of the population.

It should be recalled that earlier, the Orthodox Church of Moldova expressed deep concern over the launch of a planned information campaign aimed at discrediting the Church as an institution and, personally, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chișinău and All Moldova. Representatives of the clergy view these events as part of a large-scale scheme to undermine the authority of the Metropolis.