Ukrainians mainly approve the first 100 days of the new authorities in power – the results of the survey

Democratic Initiatives Foundation named after Ilko Kucheriv and Razumkov Center, with the financial support of the International Renaissance Foundation, conducted a public opinion poll, as well as survey of experts, concerning evaluation of the first 100 days of the activities of new authorities in power.

According to the study, Ukrainians in general positively assess the first 100 days of the new authorities in power. 54% of the population estimated activities of the President Viktor Yanukovych fully positively and mainly positively, 24% – fully negatively and mainly negatively; 49% estimated activities of the Prime-Minister Mykola Azarov fully positively and mainly positively, 29% – fully negatively and mainly negatively; 39% estimated activities of the Speaker of Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Lytvyn fully positively and mainly positively; and 34% – fully negatively and mainly negatively.

However, the level of approval of authorities was even higher after the election of Viktor Yushchenko: 54% of the population estimated Yushchenko’s activity during the first 100 days positively and 14,5% – negatively; 54% positively and 16,5% negatively estimated activities of the Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko; 49% positively and 12% negatively estimated activities of the Speaker of Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Lytvyn.

The study also showed population largely believes that Ukraine is moving in a right direction – 41% think this way, while 32% think the opposite. For comparison, in March 2005, 47% of the population also believed that everything is developing in a right direction (21% thought the opposite). However, as early as September 2005, public estimations changed dramatically: only 21% remained with positive estimations, while 44% believed that the country is developing in a wrong way.

At the same time, the survey of experts showed that experts estimate activities of the new authorities quite low – an average rating was 3,9 points on a 10-point scale.

The nationwide survey of the population of Ukraine lasted from June 5 to June 10, 2010, with a sample that represents an adult population of Ukraine by the region of residence, type of settlement, age and gender. The survey was conducted in 113 localities (including 65 urban and 48 rural settlements). 1611 respondents aged from 18 years were interviewed at home by the personal interview (face to face) method. A theoretical sampling error without accounting for design effect with probability 0,95 is no more than 2,5%.

The expert survey lasted from June 14 to June 17, 2010. In total, 35 experts – political scientists and representatives of NGOs – were interviewed.