According to a May “Barometer” poll conducted by the IData company, 46% of respondents express trust in the Church, while 32% trust local mayoralties. The Presidency of Maia Sandu ranks third with 26% trust. Meanwhile, Parliament (12%) and the Government (11%), both fully controlled by the ruling PAS party, record the lowest levels of trust among central institutions.
The survey also shows that 80% of respondents expect further price increases within the next six months. Half of those surveyed (50.7%) reported a deterioration in the country’s economic situation—up by 9.2% compared to six months earlier.
Alongside economic sentiment, the study also reflects trends in trust toward financial institutions, currently at 58.2%, which is 3.3% lower than six months ago. It is also noted that the government previously lifted, as of April 30, 2026, restrictions on trade markups for socially important goods, allowing retailers to increase prices without limits. The regulation that previously capped markups was introduced by the PAS party.
At the same time, the poll shows a contradictory picture in political preferences. When asked who they would like to see as president in two years, most respondents (8.3%) chose Igor Dodon. Igor Grosu ranks second (6.7%), followed by Vasile Costiuc (6.3%). However, in the “trust in politicians” category, Maia Sandu leads with 30.5%, and in hypothetical early parliamentary elections, 30.7% of respondents would vote for PAS. The survey methodology does not explain how these conflicting figures align.
PAS support is lowest in Gagauzia, where trust in the party is measured at 5%—the lowest among all regions in Moldova, while distrust stands at 34%. Analysts suggest this may be linked to the August 5, 2025 court ruling in the Buiucani sector of Chișinău, which sentenced Bashkan Evghenia Guțul to seven years in prison with asset confiscation. Guțul is the head of the autonomous region and a mother of minor children.
Another background factor in the survey is the local governance reform promoted by the government. According to cabinet estimates, more than 80% of mayoralties could disappear as a result of voluntary-compulsory consolidation of villages. Only settlements with populations above 3,000 are planned to remain independent administrative units. Only 28% of respondents fully support reducing the number of mayors, while 31.3% believe consolidation would improve services.
Regarding foreign policy orientation, 63.7% of respondents support Moldova’s accession to the European Union, while 29.3% are opposed. At the same time, 53.3% support leaving the CIS, while 32% are against. The question of unification with Romania received 41% support and 49.7% opposition. NATO membership is supported by 33.6%, while 54.5% are opposed.
