• According to the results of a study conducted by the Rating Group in November 2011, 13% of respondents consider a presidential system to be optimal for Ukraine, 34% support a presidential-parliamentary form of government, 26% a parliamentary-presidential system, 5% a parliamentary system, 2% a dictatorship, and 21% could not decide on this issue.

TRENDS:

• Support for a presidential system in Ukraine has been gradually declining: from 24% in October 2009 and 26% in April 2010 to 16% in March 2011 and to 13% in November 2011. A presidential-parliamentary system has been consistently supported by about one third of respondents.
• These trends closely mirror the dynamics of Viktor Yanukovych’s approval ratings: from 36% in October 2009 and 44% in April 2010 to 26% in March 2011 and 20% in November 2011.
• Against this background, support for parliamentary-presidential and parliamentary forms of government is increasing (a three-year peak is recorded): from 22% in October 2009 and 20% in April 2010 to 25% in March 2011 and 31% in November 2011.
• Among the strongest supporters of strengthening presidential power in Ukraine are voters of the Party of Regions, Svoboda, and UDAR. Among the strongest supporters of strengthening parliamentary powers are voters of Batkivshchyna and the Communist Party, and again Svoboda.
• A pro-presidential system is most strongly supported by residents of the North, the Donbas, and the West, while a pro-parliamentary system is most strongly supported in the Center and the East. The largest share of undecided respondents is in the South.