Georgian National Study April May, 0 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. This national representative survey was carried out from April till May, 0. 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. 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 through face-to-face interviews with the respondents. The poll was conducted nationwide, including the capital and all major regional centers. The margin of error does not exceed +/-. percent. The response rate was percent. IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
ISSUES IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What are the main problems Georgia is facing at the moment? Unemployment Territorial integrity General economic situation Poverty Inflation Social problems Agricultural development Relations with Russia First mention Healthcare All mentions Low income levels IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What is the main problem your town/village is facing at the moment? Unemployment Roads need repair Lack of potable water Poor gas supply Lack of irrigation water Poverty Inflation General economic situation Communal fees General cleanliness Social problems Lack of agricultural support Lack of agricultural development Lack of public transport High fuel prices First mention All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What is the main problem your household is facing at the moment? Unemployment General economic situation Poverty Poor healthcare Low salaries Inflation Social problems Communal fees Housing problems First mention Low pensions Poor gas supply All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Thinking about the current situation and the future of our country, what are the three things of which you are most afraid? Threat of war Starvation Economic crisis Relations with Russia Permanent loss of territories Unemployment Internal unrest Uncertainty of future Natural disasters Losing national identity First mention Poverty All mentions Poor political decisions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? I am proud to be a Georgian citizen I feel respected by society My future mainly depends on me Even in a poor society, much can be achieved by hard work Ordinary citizens can influence government decisions 0 Agree Disagree DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Have you been in a situation during the last year when you had to pay a bribe in order to get a service or a decision? May 0. Oct 0 0. 0. 0. Mar 0 0. 0. Oct 0 Jun 0 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. Feb 0 0. 0. Sep 0 0.. Feb 0 Sep 0 0. Feb 0 Apr 0 0. No, have not paid Yes, have paid Refused to answer Don't know IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you believe that high level corruption still exists? Very likely % Somewhat likely % Don't know % Refused to answer % Somewhat unlikely % Very unlikely % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0 0
In what area should the Georgian government carry out reforms first, second and third? Economy Healthcare Education 0 Judicial Defense Environmental protection Agriculture Prisons and corrections Local governance First Second Energy Third DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Which of these should be the Georgian government s first policy priority? Which should be the second priority? Restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity Ceation of jobs Implementation of reforms First Integration into the European Union/NATO Second IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you feel the effects of the world financial crisis? May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes No DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What effects of the world finance crisis do you feel? (those who feel effects, N=,) Rising prices 0 Poverty Loss of jobs Increased fuel prices Starvation Inflation Decline in social situation Other DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
In the current situation, is internal political confrontation acceptable or should everything be done to maintain internal political stability? May 0 Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Maintain internal stability Accept political confrontation DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
How acceptable are the following methods of protest? Collection of signatures for petitions and letters 0 Legal demonstrations Legal strikes Boycotts Demonstrations without permission Strikes without permission Corridor of shame* Blocking major roads 0 Blocking railway lines 0 Occupation of public buildings and businesses 0 Blocking airports Acceptable Not acceptable No opinion * - During protests in 00, opposition activists formed a cordon around parliament to hurl abuse at parliamentarians and their staffs as they entered the building. IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you support further street protests in the near future? May Oct 0 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, April - May, 0
For what reason would you go to the protest action? (those supporting further protests, N=) About worsening social conditions To demand free elections About cases of injustice To demand early elections Other IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
How important do you think each of the following things is to being Georgian? The ability to speak Georgian Respect of Georgia's political institutions and laws Being a long-time resident of Georgia Being born in Georgia 0 Important Not important DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
POLITICS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0 0
How much interest do you have in politics? May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 Apr 0 0 Oct 0 0 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, April - May, 0
00 0 0 When considering which party to vote for, which is more important? 0 0 No answer Both 0 0 0 0 Party is more important Leader is more important 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What are three major achievements of the Georgian government? Constructed roads Provided -hour electricity Police reform 0 Decreased crime Established order 0 Repaired infrastructure Eliminated corruption Reformed education Paid pensions on time Established free emergency care Increased tourism Improved international reputation Strengthened national defense Provided regular gas supply First mention All mentioned Nothing IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What are three major failures of the Georgian government? War with Russia in August 00 0 Increased unemployment Lost territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia 0 Confrontation with Russia Rising prices Lack of agricultural support General economic situation Loss of Samachablo region to Russia Poor education reforms Increased poverty First mention All mentioned General social problems IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
May Is it important for Georgia to have a political opposition? Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 Apr 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes, it is important No, it is not important DK IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you think that government and opposition should continue dialog? May 0 Oct 0 Mar 0 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 0 Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes, dialogue should continue No, dialogue should not continue DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you feel the governor of your region is doing a good job and is working effectively to address the problems of your region? May Oct 0 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 0 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 Apr 0 0 Oct 0 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, April - May, 0
Have you ever participated in a political party event or been contacted by a party to participate in an event? May Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes No DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What kind of a event was it? (those who participated in a party event) Campaign or election event Public discussion or speech Social event Public census May, N=0 Oct 0, N= Cultural event IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Are you as citizen aware of the Election Code working group? Have heard of it but know no details % Never heard of it % Know something about it % Definitely aware of it % DK/NA % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0 0
What kind of information do you know about their activities/purposes? (those aware of the group, N=) Establish conduct of fair elections Correct voter lists Opposition wishes to eliminate majoritarian representation Create biometric voter lists Change the number of parliamentary deputies Improve the Election Code Nothing Do not know 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you know the difference between a majoritarian representative in parliament and a representative elected by proportional system? Yes % No % DK/NA % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
If yes, how important is it for you to have a majoritarian representative? (N=) Very important % Somewhat important % DK/NA % Completely unimportant % Somewhat unimportant % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What are three main issues that parliament needs to address? Unemployment General economic situation Agricultural reform Reclaim occupied territories Enforce necessary laws Improve healthcare General social problems Regulate prices Increase pensions Enforce necessary laws Improve the general welfare Reform educational system Regulate relations with Russia DK/NA First mention All mentions IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you believe the debates between the parliament and the government held in parliament are beneficial to society? Very beneficial % Somewhat beneficial 0% I did not know there were debates in parliament % Very not beneficial % Somewhat not beneficial % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you believe these debates should continue in the future? Yes, definitely continue % DK/NA % Should probably continue % No, definitely not continue % Should probably not continue % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
On the scale shown, how would you rate your position on the following issues? Competition is good. It stimulates people to work hard and develop new ideas. Competition is harmful, it brings out the worst of people Private ownership of business and industry should be increased. Government ownership of business and industry should be increased The state should give more freedom to firms. The state should control firms more effectively Incomes should be made more equal. There should be greater incentives for individual effort Individuals should take more responsibility for providing for themselves. The state should take more responsibility to ensure that everybody is provided for 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
How would you evaluate the current state of Georgia s relations with the following countries? USA Ukraine European Union Azerbaijan Poland Turkey Lithuania France Germany Armenia Iran 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, April - May, 0
Which countries are the most important partners for Georgia and which comprise the greatest political and economic threat? Partners Threats 0 0 0. 0. IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0 0
00 0 0 Will the Georgian government improve relations between Georgia and Russia? 0 0 0 0 No opinion Very unlikely 0 0 Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely Very likely 0 0 0 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Will the Georgian government solve the problems related to Abkhazia and South Ossetia? 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No opinion Very unlikely Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely Very likely IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Would you support efforts to open the Russian market to Georgian goods? May 0 0 Oct 0 Mar 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Would you support further dialogue with Russia? May Oct 0 Mar 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Who should engage in the dialogue? (those supporting further dialogue, N =,) May Georgian government 0 Georgian society Political parties Oct 0 0 Other DK/NA 0 Mar 0 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you support Georgia joining NATO? May Oct 0 Mar 0 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What is more important to you: Georgia joining NATO or Georgia joining the European Union? May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 NATO EU Both DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
When do you think Georgia will become a member of NATO? May Oct 0 0. Mar 0 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 In 00* (00) In 00 In 0 In 0** Never DK/NA *In 00 and 00 years the answer category was In 00, in February 00 this answer category was changed to In 00 ** Included from March 00 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What in your opinion, hinders Georgia s membership in NATO? Existence of conflicts Russia Not enough reforms Need for peaceful conflict resolution Violation of territorial integrity 0 0 May Oct 0 Mar 0 Other DK/NA Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you support an international peacekeeping force in Georgia? May Oct 0 Mar 0 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Yes No DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0 0
If yes, which country or international organization should provide the peacekeeping force? (N = 0) United States NATO European Union United Nations France 0 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Ukraine Russia Any of them 0. May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Other DK/NA 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you think that Russian aggression against Georgia is over or is it still going on? May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 Feb 0 0 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, April - May, 0
INSTITUTIONS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
What is your opinion on the work of the following institutions? Church Police Army Georgian media Office of the President Cabinet of ministers 0 Parliament 0 Educational system 0 Central bank 0 Office of the prosecutor Local authorities 0 Courts Office of the ombudsman Governors Central Election Commission Political parties Trade unions Favorable Unfavorable No opinion IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
SOURCES OF INFORMATION IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Which of these sources do you use for obtaining political information? Television Friends and relatives Newspaper articles Internet Radio Magazine articles Colleagues Political meetings Billboards and street signs Direct mail and leaflets 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0 0 0 0 May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Is Georgian mass media free to express various political views or is there government control over media content? May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 0 Sep 0 Feb 0 Apr 0 0 Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 Totally free Somewhat free Not very free Not free at all DK/NA IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Why do you think that Georgian mass media is not free to express various political views? (N = ) Government pressure 0 0 Unwillingness to report bad news Media corruption Other 0 May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 DK/NA 0 0 Feb 0 Sep 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you think that activities of opposition parties are given enough time on national TV channel head lines? Somewhat enough 0% Definitely enough % Definitely not enough % DK/NA % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
How many times per week do you access the Internet? May Oct 0 Mar 0 Oct 0 Jun 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 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, April - May, 0 0
If you do, from where do you access the Internet? Home 0 Work Friends house 0 Internet café May, N= Mobile phone 0. 0. Oct 0, N= Mar 0, N= Other 0. 0. Oct 0, N= Jun 0, N= DK/NA 0 IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you support the President s initiative to strengthen the teaching of the Georgian language in Kvemo Kartli and Javakheti regions? Yes % DK/NA % No % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you support the institution of teachers certification exams that are aimed at raising their qualifications? Yes % DK/NA % No % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Do you support the idea of building a branch of an American technical university in Batumi? Yes % DK/NA % No % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICS IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Gender Male % Female % 0+ % Age groups - % 0- % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Unfinished higher % Education University or higher % Primary % Unfinished secondary % Vocational % Secondary % Ethnicity Other % Georgian % Azeri % Armenian % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0
Muslim 0% Other % None % Religion Orthodox % Attendance of religious service Once a week % 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, April - May, 0
Private sector % Sector of employment Nongovernmental Sector 0.% State sector % Don't work % Farmer % White collar % Occupation Executive % Retired % Student % Blue collar % Other % Self-employed % Unemployed % Housewife % IRI, USAID, Baltic Surveys / The Gallup Organization, IPM GEORGIAN NATIONAL STUDY, April - May, 0