The most popular leader in the Balkans: Recep Tayyip Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerges as the most admired leader in a Western Balkans survey spanning six nations, with the Turkish leader’s popularity extending across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia

A survey spanning Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo has shed light on the most admired leader in the region, revealing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the predominant figure.

Conducted by the International Republican Institute as part of the “Western Balkans Regional Survey,” the study delved into pressing issues confronting these countries, governmental priorities and public perceptions of global and regional leaders.

Foremost among the concerns expressed by most participants were “economic conditions and the cost of living.”

Erdogan, the ‘most popular leader’

Erdogan emerged as the preferred leader in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

In Albania, 71% of respondents held a favorable view of Erdogan, with U.S. President Joe Biden trailing at 64% and Chinese President Xi Jinping at 14%.

Turkish leader most popular in Bosnia, Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 61% of participants favored Erdogan, while Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi each garnered approximately 37%.

In Montenegro, Erdogan led with 56%, followed by Putin at 50% and Xi at 46%.

In North Macedonia, Erdogan held the top spot with 66%, followed by Putin at 49%, Biden at 37% and Xi at 35%.

In Serbia, the Slav leader is the most popular: Putin

In Serbia, Putin emerged as the most admired leader with 80%, followed by Xi at 73% and Erdogan at 41%.

In Kosovo, Biden took the lead with 85% admiration, closely followed by Erdogan at 82%.

US influence in Kosovo

In Kosovo, Biden took the lead with 85% admiration, closely followed by Erdogan at 82%.

The survey encompassed 1,216 respondents from Albania, 1,225 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1,220 from North Macedonia, 1,036 from Montenegro, 1,238 from Serbia and 1,203 from Kosovo.

Source: AA