Socio-political moods: Nikopol

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27.09.2017

Socio-political moods: Nikopol

According to a survey conducted by Rating Group in September 2017, 55% of Nikopol residents believe that the situation in the city has somewhat or significantly worsened over the past two years. Another 28% say it has remained the same, and only 11% report an improvement. Younger residents (aged 18–35) are less pessimistic than older people. More than two thirds of voters of the Opposition Bloc and “For Life” say the situation has deteriorated. The most optimistic group are supporters of BPP “Solidarity”: one third of them report improvement and another 40% stability.
Almost two thirds of respondents believe the city is moving in the wrong direction, while only 12% say it is moving in the right direction and 29% were unable to assess the situation. Again, younger people are more optimistic. Voters of “For Life” and the Opposition Bloc give the most negative assessments (over 70%), while BPP “Solidarity” supporters are the most positive (44% say the city is moving in the right direction).
Seventy percent of respondents say the economic situation of their families has worsened over the past year (47% say it has worsened significantly). 23% report no change and only 4% say it has improved. In all social groups, more than half report worsening material conditions.
At the same time, 39% have optimistic expectations about Nikopol’s future, while 43% are rather or very pessimistic and 18% cannot assess the city’s prospects. Young people are more optimistic. Optimism is also higher among voters of BPP “Solidarity,” Vidrodzhennia, and Batkivshchyna, while pessimism dominates among supporters of “For Life” and the Opposition Bloc.
Among utilities, residents rated gas supply and electricity the highest: 34% rated them as good or excellent, and about 42–43% as average. However, around one fifth rated them as poor or very poor.
Water supply received the worst evaluations: 37% rated it as poor, 35% as average, and only 26% as good or excellent.
Heating was rated good or excellent by 16%, average by 25%, and poor by 30%, while another 30% could not assess it.
Nearly 90% of respondents consider gas, electricity, and water services to be expensive, and almost 70% say the same about heating.
Among other services, schools and kindergartens, markets and shops, and universities and colleges receive mostly average ratings, with relatively few good evaluations and around 15–30% negative assessments.
Cultural institutions, sports facilities, street lighting, monuments, and industrial zones are generally rated poorly or only average.
Roads and sidewalks receive the worst evaluations, with more than 80% dissatisfied.
When asked what should be improved first, 36% chose road repairs, followed by city beautification (10%), healthcare (6%), renewable energy, street lighting, parks, water quality, job creation, and playgrounds (3–4% each).
Among priority infrastructure projects, 48% again chose road repairs, followed by improvement of residential areas (11%), street lighting, parks, and new sports facilities (5–6%).
If parliamentary elections were held soon, 54% would vote, while 38% would not. Among likely voters, the Opposition Bloc leads (17.5%), followed by Batkivshchyna (13.6%), For Life (9.4%), BPP Solidarity (8.5%), UKROP (6.6%), Vidrodzhennia (6.3%), Radical Party (4.4%), and Svoboda (3.1%). Almost one fifth are undecided.
The highest trust is placed in the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant (66%), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate) (58%), neighborhood associations (49%), and civic organizations (46%).
The lowest trust is shown toward the city council, executive committee, courts, police, and prosecutors.
Among NGOs, veterans’ organizations (42%) and youth organizations (41%) are rated best.
Fifty-six percent of residents have a positive attitude toward foreign investors. Investors from Canada and Germany are viewed most positively, while investors from Russia are viewed most negatively.
Seventy-six percent support renewable (“green”) energy.
A majority supports key elements of the healthcare reform, including medicine reimbursement, public health centers, medical insurance, and price regulation of medicines. Overall, 55% support the medical reform package.
Only 14% reported paying a bribe in the past year, while about half believe local corruption has not changed over the last two years.
Eleven percent say they have been victims of crime.