IFES poll reveals voter attitudes (12/30/01)

IFES poll reveals voter attitudes

KYIV - The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) on December 13 announced the release of its findings from a national random sample survey of voter attitudes in Ukraine. The purpose of this sample was to identify the main issues of interest to Ukrainian voters.

The survey shows that most Ukrainians:

State that they are likely to vote (80 percent). Nevertheless, the electorate prepares for this upcoming election with skepticism. A plurality does not expect that their lives will change as a result of the upcoming election (46 percent). Of those who do anticipate change, however, more believe there will be positive change (23 percent) than those who believe there will be negative change (5 percent), while 26 percent "don't know."
Claim dissatisfaction with the situation in the country (85 percent). However, the underlying trend in the data indicates that there is some positive development over time and fewer are "completely dissatisfied" than in the previous surveys commissioned by IFES (46 percent in 2001 compared to no less than 58 percent in previous surveys).
Think political parties are "necessary" for the development of democracy in Ukraine (56 percent). Only 2 percent, however, are members of political parties. When asked what party represents their views and interests, more respondents chose the Communist Party (16 percent) than any other party. The National Rukh was second at 5 percent. However, support for the Communist Party has steadily declined from a high in January 2000 of 22 percent.
Profess a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence in Ukraine's armed forces (70 percent), the Church (66 percent), the media (61 percent), and the state security services (55 percent). Institutions in whom respondents do not express a great deal of interest are the Cabinet of Ministers (34 percent), local authorities (32 percent), the Verkhovna Rada (31 percent), the presidential administration (28 percent), the National Bank of Ukraine (27 percent), and the police (25 percent).
Believe economic reforms are moving too slowly (76 percent). Asked whether they prefer a market or state-controlled economy, 32 percent support a market economy, and 26 percent a state-controlled economy, but 30 percent prefer a point in between the two, and 14 percent do not know.
State that the Constitutional Court (45 percent) and Supreme Court (44 percent) inspire greater confidence among respondents than public prosecutors (33 percent) or local courts (27 percent).
Believe corruption is "very common" (55 percent) or "very serious" (65 percent).
Have a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence in the media (61 percent). There is majority support for freedom of the press with 51 percent stating that the state is never justified in restricting the rights of the media, and 50 percent state that it is not safe for a journalist to express his or her real opinion about the situation in Ukraine.

In addition, the poll showed that 40 percent support political union with Russia, while 34 percent support membership in the European Union. Furthermore, 16 percent favor strict neutrality and 10 percent do not know. Of the youngest respondents (age 18-25) 46 percent support union with Europe, and 25 percent with Russia. A stronger orientation toward Europe is also seen among those with higher levels of education, (40 percent Europe, 33 percent Russia) and a higher standard of living (43 percent Europe, 14 percent Russia).

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