22.07.2020
Social and political moods of Lviv residents
- The results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group during 3–12 July 2020 among residents of Lviv showed that respondents assess the local situation relatively better than the overall situation in the country. Only 11% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 70% hold the opposite view. 28% assess the situation in the city as correct, while 48% consider it incorrect. Younger and more affluent respondents more often give optimistic assessments at the city level. At the same time, regarding the country as a whole, there are no significant differences between age and wealth groups. Relatively more optimists about the country’s development direction are found among supporters of the Servant of the People party. Over the past six months, these sentiments have deteriorated.
- At least two thirds of respondents are dissatisfied with the performance of key national leaders and parliament. Only 16% of respondents are satisfied with the work of President Zelenskyy, while 66% are dissatisfied. Only 8% are satisfied with the activities of Prime Minister Shmyhal, 62% are dissatisfied, and 30% could not assess his performance. Only 6% are satisfied with the work of parliament, while almost 80% are dissatisfied. Since autumn of last year, satisfaction with the work of central government bodies has declined.
- 48% are satisfied with the work of Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, while 33% are dissatisfied. 29% are satisfied with the activities of the city council, 38% are dissatisfied, and 33% could not assess it. Satisfaction with city public transport stands at 32%, while 51% are dissatisfied; for educational institutions, 28% are satisfied and 36% dissatisfied; for the police, 28% and 47% respectively; for municipal services, 23% satisfied and 60% dissatisfied; for social protection services, 22% satisfied and 36% dissatisfied, with 42% unable to assess; and for city medical institutions, 21% satisfied and 62% dissatisfied. Since the beginning of the year, assessments of the city’s sectors have worsened.
- The military conflict in eastern Ukraine (62%) tops the list of nationwide problems among respondents. At the national level, Lviv residents are also concerned about lack of jobs and unemployment (32%), bribery and corruption in government (30%), low wages and pensions (29%), the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic (24%), and the inability to obtain quality medical care (22%). Personally, respondents also consider the war in the East (44%) and low wages and pensions (35%) to be their biggest problems. Lack of work personally concerns 24%, bribery and corruption in government and the COVID-19 epidemic concern 23% each, and poor-quality healthcare concerns 20%.
- Among city-level problems, Lviv residents are most concerned about traffic congestion on streets (45%) and the cost of utility services (39%). Corruption in the city government concerns 34%, chaotic high-rise construction 32%, drug addiction and alcoholism 31%, and a lack of parking spaces 21%. The quality of public transport services and poor road conditions are considered problems by 19% each, while the presence of stray animals on the streets, a shortage of places in kindergartens, low professional standards of medical staff, and transport fares concern 16–17% each.
- Improving the performance of medical institutions is the main priority for city authorities according to residents (52%). About one third of respondents consider the quality of housing and communal services, public transport, waste collection and disposal, and the fight against corruption to be priority tasks for the city government. Improving the work of educational institutions, job creation, and road quality are priorities for about one quarter.
- The quality of roads, sidewalks and adjacent territories, tourism development, and the renovation of parks and squares are considered the main achievements of Mayor Andriy Sadovyi by respondents (26–31%). 22% consider improved street lighting to be his achievement, 16% the quality of public transport, and 11% each improvements in waste collection and disposal and attracting investment to the city.
- In the rating of political forces for elections to the city council, the leader is the European Solidarity party, which 28.2% of those who have decided and intend to vote are ready to support. Samopomich is supported by 18.6%, Holos by 9.8%, Servant of the People by 7.6%, Svoboda by 5.7%, and Batkivshchyna by 5.6%. The ratings of other political forces are below 5%. About 14% are undecided.
- Among candidates for the position of mayor, Lviv residents have the most positive attitude toward Andriy Sadovyi: 43% view him positively, 27% neutrally, and 29% negatively. Roman Koshulynskyi is viewed positively by 32%, neutrally by 21%, negatively by 15%, while 32% do not know him. Oleh Synyutka is viewed positively by 25%, neutrally by 26%, negatively by 25%, and 24% do not know him. Ihor Zinkevych is viewed positively by 21%, neutrally by 19%, negatively by 7%, and 54% do not know him. Ihor Vasyunyk is viewed positively by 10%, neutrally by 29%, negatively by 14%, and 46% do not know him. Volodymyr Hirniak is viewed positively by 10%, neutrally by 26%, negatively by 11%, and 53% do not know him. More than 70% of respondents do not know other politicians. Over the past four years, attitudes toward Mayor Andriy Sadovyi have remained almost unchanged (41–43%), while attitudes toward Roman Koshulynskyi (from 18% to 32%) and Oleh Synyutka (from 17% to 25%) have improved.
- Among candidates for the position of mayor of Lviv, the leader is Andriy Sadovyi, supported by 38.1% of those who have decided and would take part in voting. Roman Koshulynskyi would be supported by 17.9%, Oleh Synyutka by 13.8%, Ihor Zinkevych by 10.7%, Volodymyr Hirniak by 5.4%, Yaroslav Ruschyshyn by 3.4%, and Ihor Vasyunyk by 3.4%. The ratings of other candidates are below 2%. About 16% are undecided.
- Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections showed that if Andriy Sadovyi faced other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a runoff against Roman Koshulynskyi the result would be 45% versus 32%, against Oleh Synyutka 46% versus 26%, and against Ihor Zinkevych 46% versus 25%. At the same time, it should be taken into account that from one quarter to one third of respondents are still undecided or do not want to participate in voting in these second-round scenarios.
Methodology
- Audience: residents of the Lviv territorial community aged 18 and older. The sample is representative by age and gender.
- Sample size: 1200 respondents.
- Survey method: face-to-face formalized interview.
- Margin of error: no more than 2.8%.
- Fieldwork dates: 3–12 July 2020.
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