06.04.2014
Socio-political expectations of citizens: April 2014
- According to a nationwide survey conducted by Rating Group, a clear majority of Ukrainians believe that the top priorities for reform are fighting corruption and reforming the economy. Sixty-three percent of respondents named anti-corruption reform as the most urgent task, while 61% pointed to the economy. At the same time, 42% believe reforms are needed in the army and defense sector, and 33% emphasized the importance of ensuring Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Health care reform was mentioned by 35% of respondents, social protection by 30%, industry by 28%, agriculture by 25%, and the police by 21%. Regional differences are evident: in Western Ukraine the strongest demand is for reforms of the army and territorial integrity, in the East and Donbas for economic and industrial reform, in the South for agriculture, and in the Center for health care, although across all regions fighting corruption remains the top priority.
- When asked about the key criteria for lustration in Ukraine, more than half of respondents named involvement in corruption schemes as the main basis for applying lustration. Far fewer pointed to political corruption, changes in political orientation, adherence to certain ideologies seen as harmful to the country, or involvement in human rights violations during recent protests. At the same time, one in ten respondents opposed lustration altogether, arguing that it could further destabilize the country, while another 12% were undecided. A strong majority believe that lustration should apply to all individuals involved in corruption and illegal actions regardless of their political affiliation or the period in which they were in power, while smaller groups favor limiting it to specific political periods such as 2010–2014 or 2005–2009.
- Most Ukrainians also support the idea of forming a coalition government that would include representatives of all major political forces from all regions of the country. This idea is particularly popular in the West, North, and East of Ukraine. There is also broad public support for the entry of new leaders into politics, especially through participation in parliamentary and presidential elections. Around four in ten respondents fully support this idea, and another third are rather supportive than opposed. Support for new leaders is slightly stronger with regard to parliamentary elections than presidential ones, while only about one in ten respondents are against it, and one in six remain undecided. Support for new presidential candidates is highest in the West and North and lowest in Donbas, the East, and the Center of the country.
- In choosing a candidate to vote for, the most important criterion for voters is an untainted reputation free of corruption, followed by the personal qualities of the politician, the candidate’s political program, and a consistent, stable political position. Regarding Ukraine’s foreign policy orientation, 38% of respondents believe the Association Agreement with the European Union and the free trade area should be signed as soon as possible, with support particularly high in Western Ukraine. Another 21% favor signing the agreement once Ukraine is ready, while nearly a third do not support signing it at all. Support for NATO membership is more divided: 28% favor submitting an application as soon as possible, another 14% support doing so once a societal consensus is reached, and 44% oppose NATO membership altogether. In contrast, only a minority support joining the Customs Union, while a majority are against it.
- The data also show that supporters of new political leaders are significantly more likely to back European integration and NATO membership than those who oppose new leaders, while the opposite pattern is observed with regard to the Customs Union.
Methodology
- Survey population: population of Ukraine aged 18 and over
- Sample size: 2,000 respondents
- Method: face-to-face interviews
- Margin of error (95% confidence):
- near 50%: ≤ 2.2%
- near 30%: ≤ 2%
- near 10%: ≤ 1.3%
- near 5%: ≤ 1%
- Fieldwork period: March 21 – March 29, 2014
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