Austrians think:

Syrians will not return voluntarily

Austria's federal government wants to promote the voluntary return of refugees to Syria and organize flights for this purpose.(Bild: EPA/EFE)

The Institute for Public Opinion Research and Data Analysis has conducted comprehensive surveys on refugees, the Middle East and Ukraine. The "Krone" knows the results.

After the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, questions immediately arose as to whether the refugees could now be deported to their home country. Austria - like Germany - is considering promoting voluntary return. In return for a bonus and travel organization.

The Institute for Demoscopy and Data Analysis (IFDD) conducted a representative survey (1250 respondents) on behalf of the "Krone" newspaper:

• According to this, 43 percent "probably do not" believe that Syrians will return voluntarily.
• 23 percent are certain that they will not.
• In contrast, only two percent of respondents are certain that Syrians now want to return to their home country voluntarily.

Pessimism about the Middle East and Ukraine
The institute also surveyed public sentiment on other trouble spots. The war in Ukraine remains a key issue for Austrians.

• 51% of respondents do not believe that the war will end in 2025; only 4% are convinced that it will.
• However, 31% think it is likely.
• The situation in the Middle East is also viewed pessimistically, according to IFDD head Christoph Haselmayer: almost 80% believe that the situation will not calm down.

Christoph Haselmayer, Head of the IFDD opinion research institute(Bild: krone.tv )

Respondents were also asked about leaving the European Commission on Human Rights, which would make deportations easier, among other things. 66 percent are against it. Haselmayer: "A clear signal."