52% of Maltese trust government, Eurobarometer survey shows

Trust in government has increased from 48% last year to 52% now, a survey conducted among 500 Maltese respondents by Eurobarometer shows.

Trust in the national government in Malta is among the highest in Europe. Only 27% of respondents in all EU countries trust their national government.

In autumn 2012 – in interviews carried out shortly before the 2013 general election – only 34% said that they trusted the government.

But the picture changed dramatically after the general election as trust in the government shot up by a staggering 25 percentage points to 59%.

By November, trust in the government had fallen to 48%,

In November Parliament was trusted by an absolute majority of respondents, albeit just barely, at 51%. Trust in parliament has now fallen to 49%.

A staggering 64% think immigration is the greatest problem facing the country followed by employment (19%).  On the other hand the cost of living is seen as the greatest problem facing respondents on a personal level (32%).

Curiously the Maltese are the most likely in Europe to consider themselves European citizens.  While 87% of Maltese consider themselves EU citizens only 65% of respondents in all the EU consider themselves as EU citizens.

The survey was conducted in June in the aftermath of EU parliament elections which saw the PL winning with a staggering 55% majority.