Georgian National Survey February March 3, 009 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,500 permanent Georgian residents over the age of 8 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 is collected February -March 3, 009, 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 73 percent.
MOOD OF THE COUNTRY 3
Feb 09 Generally speaking, do you think that things in Georgia are going in the right direction or the wrong direction? 7 59 4 Sep 08 47 4 Feb 08 4 48 Sep 07 36 58 6 Feb 07 48 4 Apr 06 39 5 0 Oct 05 50 38 Jun 05 65 5 0 Oct 04 65 4 0 0 0 40 60 80 00 Right direction Wrong direction Don't know, no answer 4
Over the last two months* the economic situation in Georgia has...? Feb 09 8 9 37 34 Sep 08 3 0 39 3 4 Feb 08 4 0 8 30 6 Sep 07 7 7 3 Feb 07 3 34 7 0 3 Apr 06 30 8 5 3 Oct 05 3 34 3 8 7 5 Jun 05 5 44 33 0 4 4 Oct 04 4 40 38 0 3 5 0 0 40 60 80 00 Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot Don't know, no answer * - Before 008, this was three months. 5
Over the last two months* the financial situation of your household has...? Feb 09 4 33 3 30 Sep 08 6 45 8 9 Feb 08 0 48 6 5 Sep 07 7 46 6 0 Feb 07 4 49 3 Apr 06 4 49 4 Oct 05 5 57 8 8 Jun 05 58 6 Oct 04 6 6 4 6 0 0 40 60 80 00 Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot Don't know, no answer * - Before 008, this was three months. 6
Do you believe that things will get better in a short amount of time or do you think that it will take a long time for things to get better in Georgia? Feb 09 9 67 3 Sep 08 33 59 8 Feb 08 30 58 Sep 07 0 69 Feb 07 8 59 3 Apr 06 67 Oct 05 67 Jun 05 8 6 Oct 04 3 59 0 0 0 40 60 80 00 Short time Long time Not sure/refused to answer 7
ISSUES 8
What are the main problems that Georgia is facing at the moment? 9
What are the three main problems you d say that your town/village is facing at the moment? 0
What are the three most important problems for you and your household members?
Do you think it is acceptable for some groups to use the following methods of protest?
Thinking about the current situation and the future of our country, what are the three things you are afraid of most of all? 3
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 that you needed? Feb 09 97 0.8 0.6 Sep 08 96 0.7.4 Feb 08 95 3 Sep 07 97 0.9 Feb 07 95 Apr 06 96 0.7 No, have not paid any bribe in the last months Yes, had to pay Refuse to answer DK/NA 4
If yes, how many times did you have to pay a bribe in the last months? (those who paid, N=) 5
In what area should the Georgian government carry out reforms first? Economy 35 6 4 Defense 6 Healthcare 5 0 9 Judicial 0 4 Education 0 0 Corrections 3 5 5 Local governance 3 4 7 Environmental 5 4 First Energy Agriculture.6 0.5 3 0.4 Second Third DK/NA 4 6 0 0 0 30 40 50 60 70 80 6
What is the area in which the Georgian government should carry out reforms? (all mentions by location) Economy Healthcare 54 54 54 74 75 75 Defense 40 39 40 Judicial Education 30 3 8 36 38 5 Local governance Corrections 9 3 5 3 5 Environmental Energy Agriculture DK/NA 9 7 0 6 3 7 3 3 4 5 All Tbilisi Other regions 7
Which of these should be the Georgian government s first policy priority? Restore territorial integrity 59 8 Create jobs 9 53 Integrate into the European Union/NATO 7 8 Implement reforms 5 9 First Second 0 0 0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 00 8
Which of these should be the Georgian government s first priority? (all mentions by location) Restore territorial integrity 87 86 9 Create jobs 77 8 83 Integrate into the European Union/NATO 5 5 5 All Implement reforms 4 3 4 Tbilisi Other regions 9
What is more important for you? 0
Given the current situation, do you accept the possibility of internal political confrontation, or should everything be done to keep internal political stability?
Which statement best describes your opinion?
Do you feel effects of the world financial crisis? 3
What effects of the world financial crisis do you feel? (those who feel the effects, N=849) 4
In the last six months, would you say that the criminal situation in Georgia became worse, remained the same or improved? 5
What are the main responsibilities of municipal government? (up to three mentions) 6
What are the main responsibilities of municipal government? (all mentions by location) Take care of people Create jobs Support agriculture Solve social problems Improve general appearance of the city Repair roads Keep city clean Develop infrastructure Support city economy 4 4 3 6 8 4 5 30 Solve water problems Create good communal conditions Support/provide healthcare Maintain communications Provide justice Improve living conditions DK/NA 9 37 Tbilisi Other regions 7
What would be/is the reason for you to ask for help/approach your local government? 8
What would be/is the reason for you to ask for help/approach your local government? For social protection For solution of material problems For health problems For unemployment problems There is no use, they will not help anyway To settle living conditions For getting needed information For repairing roads For defending personal rights For agricultural problems Other None DK/NA 6 9 4 8 6 7 4 7 6 4 5 0 3 0 0 4 6 Tbilisi Other regions 5 6 9
In the last two years, have you contacted/approached your local government representative with some request? All 8 5 Tbilisi 88 9 Other regions 79 6 0 0 40 60 80 00 No Yes, one time Yes, two-five times Yes, more than five times DK/NA 9
Was the issue/request resolved or not? (those who contacted/approached local government, N=5) All 3 3 39 35 Tbilisi 3 7 50 Other regions 4 3 4 3 0 0 40 60 80 00 Yes, all of them Some of them yes Still pending No, none of them 3
Have you ever participated in meetings to discuss projects in your neighborhood? All 0 88 Tbilisi 4 84 Other regions 87 0 0 40 60 80 00 Yes No DK/NA 3
What kind of meetings you have participated in? (those who participated in meetings, N=7) 33
Does local government offer opportunities for citizens to actively participate in the activities that they organize? All 48 3 Tbilisi 39 39 Other regions 5 8 0 0 40 60 80 00 Yes No DK/NA 34
Does local government keep citizens well informed of its activities? All 5 6 40 30 Tbilisi 0 5 35 Other regions 4 4 45 8 0 0 40 60 80 00 Well informed Not well informed Not at all informed DK/NA 35
From what sources do you learn about such activities? (those who think that local government informs citizens, N=463) * - Gamgeoba: District Administration ** - Sakrebulo: Elected Local Council 36
From what sources did you learn about such activities? (all sources by location, N=463) Television 36 76 Other people 8 Ads in the streets Gamgeoba* 8 9 Promotional agents 7 Press 5 5 Sakrebulo** Board members 7 District court chairman DK/NA 4 9 Tbilisi Other regions * - Gamgeoba: District Administration ** - Sakrebulo: Elected Local Council 37
Do men and women in Georgia have equal rights? 38
How do you evaluate the government s work solving the problems of internally displaced persons from Samachblo and Kodori Gorge?* *Displaced during the August 008 war 39
POLITICS 40
How much interest do you have in politics? 4
When you consider which party to vote for, what is more important, the party leader or the party itself? 4
If all other characteristics are equal, would you prefer to vote for the parliamentary candidate who is? 43
If all other characteristics are equal, would you prefer to vote for the parliamentary candidate who is? 44
What are the three major achievements of the Georgian government? Solved energy problems Fixed roads 8 9 3 33 Fought crime Increased pensions Improved city appearance Reformed police Entered international arena Provided free emergency medical services Reformed educational system Provided stability Maintained outdoor lighting Fought corruption Fixed gas supply Nothing DK/NA 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 7 7 8 9 9 5 5 6 First mention All mentioned 45
What are the biggest failures of the Georgian government? August 008 war 39 46 Lost territories 0 7 Spoiled the relationship with Russia 5 8 Unemployment Reaction to November 7, 007 protests 5 4 8 Inflation General economic problems 5 Poor foreign policies Lost people's confidence Poor internal policies Social problems Unjust court system Nothing First mention DK/NA All mentioned 46
In your opinion, is it important for Georgia to have political opposition? 47
How do you evaluate President Saakashvili and the government s performance during the financial crisis? 48
Which statement comes closer to your own point of view? Disagree with both 6% DK/NA 8% President Saakashvili: Georgia needs unity and patience to overcome serious chalenges ahead 5% Agree with both 7% Some opposition leaders: President Saakashvili should resign 49
What are the three main issues that the Mayor of Tbilisi needs to take care of? (residents of Tbilisi, N=386) 50
What are the three major achievements of Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava? (residents of Tbilisi, N=386) 5
Do you feel the Governor of your region is doing a good job and is working effectively to address the problems of your region? Feb 09 5 0 37 7 Sep 08 9 3 34 3 3 Feb 08 4 3 38 7 8 Sep 07 3 4 5 9 Feb 07 3 39 6 Apr 06 3 46 9 0 Oct 05 3 37 7 Jun 05 5 39 3 0 0 40 60 80 00 Very effectively Somewhat effectively Somewhat not effectively Not effectively at all DK/NA 5
Do you feel the Governor of your region is doing a good job and is working effectively to address the problems of your region? (by region) 4 7 4 7 0 0 7 8 7 46 7 4 9 5 9 7 DK/NA Not effectively at all 40 45 40 6 8 48 44 4 Somewhat not effectively Tbilisi 4 4 5 3 0 0 3 4 Kakheti Shida Kartli Kvemo Kartli Samtske-Javakheti 7 6 Adjara 9 57 8 8 7 5 4 Guria Samegrelo Imereti Mtskheta-Mtianeti 9 Somewhat effectively Very effectively 53
Do you think that government and opposition should continue dialog? 54
What are three main issues that the newly elected Parliament needs to take care of? Unemployment Territorial integrity Relations with Russia Peace/national security 5 5 Economics Care for population Fairness of the justice system Social support for population Development of agribusiness 4 3 4 3 5 Protection of human rights 3 Enact new laws Make reforms Relations with neighbouring countries Mitigate economic crisis 3 Care for refugees/internally displaced persons Public health care 5 Education 4 Other DK/NA 9 8 0 7 6 8 5 5 First All mentioned 40 55
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 56
How would you evaluate the current state of relations between Georgia and? Ukraine 9 3 4 USA 89 3 6 Azerbaijan 86 5 3 6 European Union 85 5 3 8 Lithuania 83 3 Turkey 83 7 5 6 France 80 5 3 Poland 80 4 4 Germany 78 6 4 Armenia 63 6 0 Iran 55 4 9 Russia 4 94 0 0 40 60 80 00 Good Neither good nor bad Bad No answer 57
Which countries are the most important partners for Georgia? Which comprise the most political and economic threat? 86 48 40 USA 4 5 3 0 0 0.5 0.4 0. Ukraine European Union Azerbaijan Turkey Russia Lithuania Partners 8 Poland Armenia 5 Iran Threats 8 3 DK 8 58
Is the USA a reliable friend of Georgia? 59
00 80 Is it likely that the Georgian government will improve relations between Georgia and Russia? 7 6 7 4 6 4 3 7 5 9 7 6 6 8 8 3 7 3 9 3 No opinion 60 34 38 Not at all likely 40 54 49 59 46 48 56 57 Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely 0 37 37 Very likely 0 9 0 3 6 5 7 9 0 Feb 09 Sep 08 Feb 08 Sep 07 Feb 07 Apr 06 Oct 05 Jun 05 Oct 04 60
00 Is it likely that the Georgian government will solve the problems related to Abkhazia and South Ossetia? 80 9 8 6 7 0 0 30 7 8 5 7 5 4 0 8 0 8 3 6 7 7 6 3 3 3 0 No opinion 60 40 0 0 5 36 53 53 48 44 43 46 38 9 9 4 4 7 8 8 9 6 Feb 09 Sep 08 Feb 08 Sep 07 Feb 07 Apr 06 Oct 05 Jun 05 Oct 04 Not at all likely Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely Very likely 6
Do you think that Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be? (red) (yellow) 6
Do you think that the current situation in regard to the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be resolved through negotiations and peaceful means or through force if necessary? 63
How satisfied are you with the amount of financial support now being given to Georgia by? 64
Do you support Georgia joining NATO? 65
Would you support NATO military bases being built in Georgia? 66
What is more important to you: Georgia joining NATO or Georgia joining the European Union? Feb 09 3 3 9 7 Sep 08 45 5 9 0 0 40 60 80 00 NATO European Union Both DK/NA 67
What do you expect from NATO membership? (up to three answers) Security guarantees 47 5 58 57 69 Restoration of territorial integrity 37 36 4 45 5 Social welfare 5 8 5 4 Strengthening democracy Other DK/NA 3 3 6 9 3 6 6 0 9 6 7 Feb 09 Sep 08 Feb 08 Sep 07 Feb 07 Apr 06 68
When do you think Georgia will become a member of NATO? Feb 09 4 3 5 Sep 08 39 8 3 8 Feb 08 7 33 0 5 35 Sep 07 3 8 3 36 Feb 07 6 30 4 0 0 40 60 80 00 In 009* (008) In 00 In 0 Never DK/NA *In 007 and 008 years the answer category was In 008, in February 009 this answer category was changed to In 009 69
What hinders Georgia s membership in NATO? 70
Do you support the government s decision to leave the Commonwealth of Independent States? 7
Would you ever accept the independence of South Ossetia and/or Abkhazia? 7
Do you support an international peacekeeping force in Georgia? 73
Have you heard about the charter that Georgia and the USA signed? 74
Do you support or oppose this charter? (those who have heard, N=600) 75
Who can best provide security for Georgia in conflict areas? DK/NA 8% UN peacekeeping forces The Organization for % Security and Cooperation in Europe montiors 3% European Union Monitoring Mission % NATO forces 36% 76
Do you think that Russian aggression toward Georgia is over or is it still going on? 77
INSTITUTIONS 78
What is your opinion about the work of each of these institutions? Church 9 7 Army 79 8 Police 69 4 7 Georgian media 65 7 8 Central bank 50 6 4 Education system 50 38 President's office 49 43 8 Parliament 47 46 7 Cabinet of ministers 45 47 8 Local authorities 37 46 7 Prosecutor's office 37 45 8 Political parties 37 47 6 Courts 35 47 8 Governors 9 48 3 Trade unions 39 40 Mafia ("Thieves in Law") 9 55 36 Favorable Unfavorable No opinion 79
HEROES OF OUR TIMES 80
Of prominent Georgians and characters from Georgian history and folk culture, who is most suitable to be a national hero or leader in the current time? 8
TOLERANCE 8
Is Georgia a tolerant society? 83
Are the relations between Georgians and ethnic minorities in regions such as Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti getting better or worse? 84
SOURCES OF INFORMATION 85
Which of these sources do you use for obtaining political information? 86
Is Georgian mass media free to express various political views or is there government control over media content? 87
Why do you think that Georgian mass media is not free to express various political views? (those who answered not free, N=589) 88
DEMOGRAPHICS 89
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