Georgian National Study March, 00 International Republican Institute Baltic Surveys Ltd. / The Gallup Organization The Institute of Polling And Marketing with funding from the United States Agency for International Development
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURVEY The survey was conducted by the Institute of Polling and Marketing for Baltic Surveys/Gallup on behalf of the International Republican Institute. The sample consisted of,00 permanent Georgian residents older than the age of and eligible to vote, and is representative of the general population by age, gender, education and religion. An oversample was conducted in Tbilisi. The sample design was a multi-stage random sample. Stage One: Break country into official administrative regions. Stage Two: Select clusters of sampling points based on settlement population (large, medium, small towns and villages). One sample point = approximately one percent of survey population (0- surveys). Sampling points in each region were selected based on the percentage of population living in the various levels of settlement in that same region. Respondents were selected by the random route method, using the next birthday rule to select a respondent from within a household. Data was collected March - March, 00, through face-to-face interviews with the respondents. Poll was conducted nationwide, including the capital and all major regional centers. The margin of error does not exceed three percent. Response rate was percent. IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
MOOD OF THE COUNTRY IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Over the last two months, the economic situation in Georgia has...? Mar 0 0 7 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 7 Feb 0 7 Sep 0 0 Feb 0 0 0 Sep 07 7 7 Feb 07 7 0 Apr 0 0 Oct 0 7 Jun 0 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot Don't know, no answer IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Over the last two months, the financial situation of your household has...? Mar 0 Oct 0 0 Jun 0 0. Feb 0 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 07 7 0 Feb 07 Apr 0 Oct 0 7 Jun 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot Don't know, no answer IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
ISSUES IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What are the main problems that Georgia is facing at the moment? Unemployment Territorial integrity General economic situation 0 7 Georgian-Russian relations Internal affairs Achieving peace Social problems Threat of war General instability Poor healthcare system First mention High taxes All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 7
What are the main problems your town/village is facing at the moment? Unemployment Road repairs Poor water supply 7 Poor gas supply General economic situation 0 Social problems 7 Agricultural supports High taxes Poor electricity supply Poor healthcare Irrigation problems Poor sanitation First mention All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What is the most important issue your household is facing at the moment? Unemployment General economic situation 0 Poor healthcare Social problems Low salaries Territorial integrity High taxes 7 Low pensions Expensive medications First mention Expensive public utilities All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you think these forms of protest are acceptable? Legal demonstrations 0 Signature collections Legal strikes Boycotts 7 7 Demonstrations without permission 0 Corridor of shame* 0 Strikes without permission Blocking of major roads Occupation of buildings or enterprises Blocking of railway lines Blocking of airports Acceptable Not acceptable No opinion * - During street protests in 00, protestors lined up outside parliament and other government buildings to jeer Members of Parliament and government staff as they went to work. IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 0
Thinking about the current situation and the future of the country, what are you afraid of most? Threat of war Deteriorating Russo-Georgian relations Inability to regain territories Unemployment Economic crisis Political instability 0 Poverty Emigration First mention Natural calamities All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Have you been in a situation over the last months when you had to pay a bribe in order to get a service or a decision? Mar 0 0. 0. Oct 0 0.0. 0. Jun 0 7 0. 0. Feb 0 7 0.0. Sep 0 0.7. Feb 0 Sep 07 7 0. Feb 07 Apr 0 0.7 No, have not paid any bribe in the last months Yes, had to pay Refuse DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
In what field should the Georgian government carry out reforms first, second and third? Economy Healthcare Education Defense Judiciary Local governance 7 Penitentiary and corrections Environmental Agricultural Energy 0.0. Other DK/NA First Second Third 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Which of these should be the Georgian government s first and second priorities? Restore territorial integrity Create jobs Implement reforms Integrate into European Union and/or NATO First Second 0 0 0 0 0 00 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you accept internal political confrontation or should politicians strive to maintain political stability? Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Maintain internal political stability Accept internal political confrontation DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you feel effects from the world financial crisis? Mar 0 7 Oct 0 0 Jun 0 7 Feb 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes No DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
POLITICS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 7
How would you rate your interest in politics? Mar 0 Oct 0 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 7 Feb 0 7 Sep 07 Feb 07 Apr 0 0 oct 0 0 7 Jun 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Low interest Medium interest High interest IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
When considering which party to vote for, which is more important? 00 0 0 7 7 No answer Both 0 Party is more important 0 0 0 Leader is more important 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What are the biggest achievements of the Georgian government? Improved electrical supply Improved roads Decreased crime Reformed patrol police General municipal improvement Reformed pensions 0 Restored order in the country Reformed education system Reformed army Reformed emergency response Improved security Solved social problems Improved international image of Georgia Nothing First mention All mentioned IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 0
What are the biggest failures of the Georgian government? Loss of territories 0 August war 7 Unemployment Poor relations with Russia Internal antagonism Inflation Economic situation Lack of educational reform Response to November 7, 007 protests Nothing DK First mention All mentioned IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Is it important for Georgia to have a political opposition? Mar 0 7 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 7 7 Feb 0 0 Sep 07 Feb 07 7 Apr 0 7 Oct 0 7 Jun 0 Oct 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 0 00 Yes, it is important No, it is not important DK IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you feel the governor of your region is doing a good job and is working effectively to address the problems of your region? Mar 0 Oct 0 0 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 0 7 7 Sep 0 Feb 0 7 Sep 07 Feb 07 Apr 0 0 Oct 0 7 7 Jun 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Very effectively Somewhat effectively Somewhat ineffectively Very ineffectively DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
If local elections were held next Sunday, would you vote in them? DK/NA 0% Definitely yes % Definitely no 7% Likely no % Likely yes % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
If you are likely not voting or not voting, why not? (N=07) Elections will not be fair There are no suitable candidates I do not trust any candidate I am boycotting I am not interested in politics Ballots will not be anonymous 0. DK/NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What are three major issues that parliament first needs to address? Unemployment Restore territorial integrity Legislative reform Tax reform Improve social assistance Healthcare reform Gain withdrawal of Russian troops Education reform Pension reform Economic reform Control inflation Agricultural reform Care for refugees Secure peace Court reform Conduct foreign policy Join NATO DK/NA 7 7 0 0 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 First mention All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What are three major issues that the newly elected sakrebulos* need to address? Unemployment Agriculture Social assistance Roads Water Gas Economics Pensions Contact with people Health care Education Utility fee Restore territories DK/NA 7 0 0 0 0 0 * - Sakrebulos are locally elected councils. First mention All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 7
Do you think that government and opposition should continue dialog? Mar 0 7 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 7 Feb 0 Sep 0 0 Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes, should continue No, should not continue DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you support the decision of some political parties to boycott the local elections? Strongly support % Somewhat support 7% Somewhat oppose % DK/NA % Strongly oppose % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 0
How would you evaluate Georgia s relations with the following countries? USA 0 Ukraine Azerbaijan European Union 7 Turkey Lithuania 7 Poland 7 0 Germany 7 0 Armenia 70 France Iran 7 0 Russia 0 0 0 0 0 00 Good Neither good nor bad Bad No answer IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Which countries are the most important partners for Georgia? Which comprise the most political and economic threat? Partners Threats 0. 0 0 0. 0. USA Ukraine EU Azerbaijan Turkey Russia Armenia Lithuania Poland Iran DK IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Will the Georgian government improve relations between Georgia and Russia? 00 0 0 7 7 7 7 7 7 No opinion 0 0 7 Very unlikely 0 0 7 7 7 Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely Very likely 0 7 0 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Will the Georgian government solve the problems related to Abkhazia and South Ossetia? 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 7 0 0 7 0 0 7 7 0 7 7 0 No opinion Very unlikely Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely Very likely IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Would you support efforts to open the Russian market to Georgian goods? DK/NA % Strongly oppose % Somewhat oppose % Somewhat support % Strongly support 7% IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Would you support further dialogue with Russia? DK/NA % Strongly oppose % Somewhat oppose % Somewhat support % Strongly support 7% IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Who should engage in the dialogue? (Those fully or somewhat supporting dialogue, N=,7) Other % DK/NA % Political parties 0% Georgian society % Georgian government 70% IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 7
What is the best means to deal with the problems in Abkhazia and South Ossetia? 00 7 0 0 No opinion 0 0 0 Force if necessary Negotiation and peaceful means 0 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you support Georgia joining NATO? Mar 0 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 7 0 Sep 0 70 7 0 0 0 0 0 00 Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What is more important to you: Georgia joining the NATO or Georgia joining the European Union? Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 7 Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 NATO European Union Both DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 0
When do you think Georgia will become a member of NATO? Mar 0 0 Oct 0 7 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 7 0 Sep 07 Feb 07 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 In 00* (00) In 00 In 0 In 0** Never DK/NA *In 007 and 00 years the answer category was In 00, in February 00 this answer category was changed to In 00 ** Included only in March 00 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you support an international peacekeeping force in Georgia? Mar 0 0 Oct 0 7 Jun 0 70 Feb 0 7 0 Sep 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes No DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Which country or international organization should provide the peacekeeping force? (Those supporting peacekeepers, N = 7) European Union 7 United States NATO 0 United Nations Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Ukraine France Russia Germany Mar 0 Oct 0 Other DK/NA 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you think that Russian aggression toward Georgia is over or is it still going on? Mar 0 7 7 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 It is over and unlikely to resume It is over but likely to resume It is still going on DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
INSTITUTIONS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What is your opinion about the work of each of these institutions? Church Army Police Georgian media President's office Cabinet of ministers Central bank Parliament Education system Prosecutor's office Courts Ombudsman's office Local authorities Governors Political parties Central Election Commission Constitutional Commission Trade unions 7 7 0 7 Favorable Unfavorable No opinion 0 7 0 7 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you as a citizen feel that you have received enough information on the workings of the Central Election Commission? Definitely enough % Somewhat enough % DK/NA % Somewhat not enough % Definitely not enough % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 7
SOURCES OF INFORMATION IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What are your sources of political information? TV news and programs Relatives and friends 0 Newspaper articles Radio news and programs 7 Mar 0 Internet 0 Oct 0 Magazine articles Jun 0 Colleagues Meetings with politicians 0.7 Feb 0 0. 0. 0. Leaflets and direct mail 0. 0. 0. 0. Billboards and street signs 0. 0. 0. IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Is Georgian mass media free to express various political views or is there control from the government over media content? Mar 0 Oct 0 7 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 0 7 Sep 07 7 7 Feb 07 Apr 0 7 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Totally free Somewhat free Somewhat not free Totally not free DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 0
Why do you think that Georgian mass media is not free to express various political views? (n = ) Government pressure 70 70 7 77 7 Media is corrupt Reluctance to report bad news Other Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 DK/NA 7 0 Sep 07 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
In your opinion, will the national TV channels provide fair and equal coverage for all political parties? Likely yes 0% Definitely yes % Likely no % DK/NA 0% Definitely no % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Do you support further street protests in the future/fall? Mar 0 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Definitely yes Likely yes Likely no Definitely no DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
How many times per week do you access the Internet? Mar 0 7 Sep 0 7 Jun 0 77 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 0 00 Every day - times per week - times per week - times per week Less often Never DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
TBILISI (N = 00) IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
What are three issues that the Mayor of Tbilisi needs to address? Unemployment Municipal improvement Social assistance Improve infrastructure Keep city clean Healthcare Increase pensions Repair old houses Reform education system Provide emergency housing Economic reform Maintain suburbs First mentioned Repair roads All mentioned Repair secondary roads Simplify tax system Other DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Should non-parliamentary opposition parties unite to elect a single candidate for mayor? Definitely yes 7% Likely yes % DK/NA % Definitely no % Likely no % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 7
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Gender Male % Female % Age groups - % 0+ % 0- % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Unfinished higher % Education University, higher % Primary % Unfinished secondary % Vocational % Secondary % Ethnicity Other % Georgian % Azeri % Armenian % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00 0
Religion Muslim % Other % Orthodox % Once a week 7% Attendance of religious service Once a month % A few times a week % A few times per year % Never % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00
Private sector % State sector 0% Sector of employment Nongovernmental 0.% Don't work 7% Farmer 7% White collar % Occupation Executive % Retired 7% Student % Blue collar % Other % Unemployed % Housewife % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, March March, 00