Romanians trust DNA almost as much as the Church

Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), which is in charge of investigating the corruption offences, has seen a significant increase in the trust ranking, in the last year. Some 60% of Romanians say they trust the DNA, according to a survey made by social research institute INSCOP in September 2015, 11 percentage more than in September 2014 (49%). The DNA has become almost as trusted as the Church, as 61% of Romanians say they have faith in the religious institution, slightly fewer than in September 2014 (63%). The Church has always been one of the most trusted institutions in Romania. The Army remains the most trusted institution in Romania, with a trust quota of 74%, followed by the Gendarmerie, which is trusted by 64% of Romanians. More than half of Romanians also trust the Police (52%), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), and Romania's National Bank (50%), with the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) coming close, with 48%. The Presidency is the most trusted political institution in Romania, with a confidence rate of 46%, 2.5 times higher than in September 2014. However, Romanians' trust in the Presidency has been falling compared to the 52% high reached in February 2015, after Klaus Iohannis became President. On the other hand, trust in the Government hasn't gone down very much despite the corruption investigation on Prime Minister Victor Ponta. Some 25% said they trusted the Government compared to 28% in September 2014 and 23% in February 2015. However, only 11% trust the Parliament, which has been accused many times in the past year of shielding corrupt politicians, down from 16% in September 2016. Also, less than one in ten Romanians (8%) have confidence in political parties, down from 11% in September 2014. When it comes to international institutions, most Romanians trust NATO – 58% (down from 62% in July 2015, but up from 51% in September 2014), the UN – 57% (down from 60% in July 2015), and the European Union – 53% (down from 60% in July). The European Parliament ranks fourth with a share of 48%, followed by the European Commission with 46%, the World Bank – 41%, and the International Monetary Fund IMF – 34%. The survey was conducted between September 10 and September 15 on a sample of over 1,000 people, at the request of Adevarul newspaper. What public institutions do Romanians trust the most? Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com