NATO accession finds little support before security forum
The results of a survey conducted by the CBS AXA sociological research centre ahead of the Moldova Security Forum 2026 are unlikely to please its organisers.
Summarising the findings, the centre’s deputy director, Vasile Cantarji, said the overwhelming majority of residents understand that Moldova is not ready for an armed conflict. At the same time, almost none appear to share the optimism about NATO that is often heard from those in power.
According to Cantarji, more than 60% of respondents said the country was completely unprepared for an armed attack, while almost 24% described the level of readiness as weak. Despite that, only 4% said they favoured turning to the North Atlantic Alliance as protection from a military threat. That figure may be a historic low. By contrast, around 45% support preserving Moldova’s neutrality.
Trust in state institutions remains low
Many respondents also pointed to a lack of information about threats. According to the survey, 82% said they did not feel informed or prepared to cope, and did not know what to do in the event of danger.
The poll also shows a continuing decline in trust in state institutions. More than 50% of respondents said they trust the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, while 35% expressed trust in the church.
The figures for the core institutions of the state are far weaker. Trust in the government, parliament and judiciary stands at between 4% and 6%.
For the authorities, the findings create an awkward contrast. Officials continue to speak about resilience, security cooperation and closer alignment with Western defence structures, while public confidence in NATO accession remains minimal and trust in political institutions is close to the floor.
The poll suggests that Moldovans are worried about security, but not convinced that joining NATO is the answer. Instead, the stronger public instinct, at least according to these figures, remains the preservation of neutrality rather than a military turn towards the alliance.
