Survey of Public Opinion in

February 22 – March 8, 2017 Detailed Methodology

• The survey was conducted by Dr. Rasa Alisauskiene of the public and market research company Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization on behalf of the International Republican Institute. The fieldwork was carried out by the Institute of Polling & Marketing.

• Data was collected throughout Georgia (excluding the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia) between February 22 and March 8, 2017 through face-to-face interviews at respondents’ homes.

• The sample consisted of 1,501 permanent residents of Georgia 18 years and older and eligible to vote. It is representative of the general population by age, gender, education, region and size/type of the settlement.

• A multistage probability sampling method was used, employing the “random route” and “next birthday” respondent selection procedures.

• Stage one: All districts of Georgia were grouped into 10 regions. The survey was conducted throughout all regions of Georgia, except for the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. • Stage two: the territory of each region were split into settlements, and grouped according to subtype (i.e. cities, towns and villages). o Settlements were selected at random. o The number of selected settlements in each region is proportional to the share of population living in a particular type of the settlement in each region. • Stage three: primary sampling units were described.

• The margin of error does not exceed plus or minus 2.5 percent.

• The response rate was 69 percent.

• Charts and graphs may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.

• The survey was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

2 Strong Support for Euro-Atlantic Integration Do you support Georgia joining the European Union (EU)?

Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 64% 26% 3%3%3%

Mar-16 63% 22% 5% 6% 4%

Feb-15 62% 23% 4% 5% 6%

Feb-14 70% 18% 3% 4% 5%

May-13 67% 20% 2%2% 8%

Feb-13 67% 21% 3%2% 7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 4 Do you support Georgia joining NATO?

Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 56% 26% 6% 7% 5% Mar-16 55% 24% 7% 9% 5% Feb-15 57% 21% 6% 9% 7% Feb-14 58% 22% 5% 8% 7% May-13 61% 19% 5% 6% 8% Feb-13 63% 19% 6% 5% 7% Nov-12 65% 17% 4% 5% 9% Mar-12 59% 20% 4% 6% 11% Nov-11 61% 19% 5% 5% 10% May-11 55% 22% 6% 6% 11% Oct-10 55% 19% 5% 9% 12% Mar-10 50% 22% 6% 9% 13% Oct-09 54% 21% 6% 6% 13% Jun-09 45% 23% 9% 12% 10% Feb-09 49% 23% 7% 10% 11% Sep-08 70% 17% 4% 4% 6%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 5 When do you think Georgia will become a member of NATO?

3% 5%

8%

In 2018

42% In 2019

In 2021

Later

Never 28% Don't know/No answer

14%

6 In your opinion, what should Georgia’s foreign policy approach be?

Only pro-EU/pro-Western Pro-Western, but keep up relations with Pro-Russian but remain an ally of the EU/the West Only pro-Russian Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 23% 53% 12% 3% 9%

Mar-16 22% 52% 11% 4% 11%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

7 Have you heard about the approval of visa-free travel between the European Union and Georgia?

2% 1%

Yes

No

Don't know/No answer

97%

8 After the implementation of visa-free travel, what do you expect the next steps will be regarding the European Union Association Agreement? (three answers possible) Economic improvement 22% Tourism development 9% Job creation 6% Migration 6% Simplified travel 6% Improved relations between countries 5% General improvement 4% Free trade 4% Euro-integration 4% Cultural development 2% Education 2% Business development 1% Investment 1% Other 2% Nothing 11% Don't know/No answer 33%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

9 Attitudes Toward Russia How would you characterize the current state of the relationship between Georgia and…?

Good Neither good nor bad Bad Don't know/No answer

European Union 90% 6% 3% 1%

2% 89% 8% 1%

5% 87% 7% 1%

United States 87% 8% 3%2%

Turkey 81% 11% 6% 2%

Germany 78% 11% 4% 7%

Armenia 75% 16% 6% 3%

Iran 55% 24% 6% 15%

Russia 11% 12% 76% 1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

11 Which of these countries do you consider to be Georgia’s important partners? Political threats? Economic Threats? (three answers possible for each)

Important partners Political threats Economic threats 80% 73% 70%

60% 57%

50% 42% 40% 33% 29% 30% 28% 27%

20% 16% 17% 14% 12% 10% 8% 10% 7% 6% 7% 5% 1% 2% 0.5% 3% 2% 0.5% 2% 2% 2% 1% 0.6% 0.6% 0.4% 0%

12 Would you support further dialogue with Russia?

Fully support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 53% 29% 6% 10% 2%

Mar-16 59% 24% 4% 10% 3%

Feb-15 65% 20% 4% 8% 3%

Feb-14 76% 16% 3% 4%2%

May-13 82% 11% 2%3%2% 2%1% Feb-13 82% 13% 2% Nov-12 2% 2% 83% 11% 2%

Mar-12 74% 19% 2%3%2%

Nov-11 73% 17% 2%4% 4%

May-11 78% 16% 2% 2% 2% Oct-10 84% 12% 1% 2% 1% 2% 3% Mar-10 78% 15% 2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 13 How do you rate the government’s handling of Georgia’s relationship with Russia?

Very positively Somewhat positively Somewhat negatively Very negatively Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 15% 39% 24% 11% 11%

Mar-16 14% 45% 18% 11% 11%

Feb-15 17% 42% 18% 8% 15%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 14 Do you think that Russian aggression toward Georgia is over or is still going on? It is over and unlikely to resume It is over but likely to resume It is still going on Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 10% 23% 60% 7% Mar-16 9% 19% 67% 5% Feb-15 6% 21% 67% 6% Feb-14 7% 16% 71% 6% May-13 20% 18% 49% 13% Feb-13 19% 26% 44% 11% Nov-12 23% 19% 47% 11% Mar-12 4% 10% 78% 8% Nov-11 7% 17% 65% 11% May-11 3% 12% 72% 13% Oct-10 7% 18% 69% 6% Mar-10 5% 14% 74% 7% Oct-09 2% 11% 82% 5% Jun-09 2% 11% 82% 6% Feb-09 2% 10% 84% 4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 15 Given the current state of Georgia’s relationship with Russia, how secure do you feel living in Georgia?

Very secure More secure than insecure More insecure than secure Very insecure Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 11% 47% 28% 9% 4%

Mar-16 12% 41% 32% 10% 5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

16 State of the Economy What are the main problems currently facing Georgia? (three possible answers)

47% Unemployment 66% 24% Economic crisis 46% 9% Territorial integrity 24% 3% Social problems 10% 2% Inflation 12% 2% Unqualified workers 3% 1% Education 4% 1% Low pensions 4% 1% Low salaries 4% First mention 1% All mentions High food prices 7% 1% High utility rates 7% 0.5% Healthcare 4% 0.4% Cost of medication 3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

18 What are the main problems currently facing Georgia? (top three answers) March 2017 47% Unemployment 66%

24% Economic crisis 46% First mention 9% All mentions Territorial integrity 24%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% March 2016

45% Unemployment 66%

17% General economic situation 40% First mention

14% All mentions Territorial integrity 29%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 19 What are the main problems currently facing your town or village? (three possible answers)

35% Unemployment 52% 11% Roads 19% 9% Economic crisis 16% 7% Drinking water 15% 4% Gas supply 10% 3% Infrastructure 7% 2% Social conditions 5% 2% Irrigation 3% 2% Traffic 4% 2% First mention Poor sanitation 4% 2% All mentions Lowering of retirement age 2% 1% Poor transportation 4% 1% Agriculture 3% 1% Ecology 4% 1% High utility rates 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 20 What are the main problems currently facing your town or village? (top three answers) March 2017

35% Unemployment 52%

11% Roads 19% First mention All mentions 9% Economic crisis 16%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% March 2016

32% Unemployment 40%

15% Roads 26% First mention 7% All mentions Drinking water 15%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 21 What are the main problems currently facing your household? (three possible answers)

Unemployment 42% 49% Economic crisis 15% 24% Low salaries 6% 10% High utility rates 5% 11% Social conditions 3% 5% Low pensions 3% 5% Healthcare 3% 5% Absence of landfill 2% 3% First mention Health problems 2% 3% All mentions High cost of medications 2% 6% High bank interest rates 1% 2% High product prices 1% 3% No problems 4% 4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 22 What are the main problems currently facing your household? (top three answers) March 2017

42% Unemployment 49%

15% Economic crisis 24% First mention All mentions 6% Low salaries 10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% March 2016

38% Unemployment 46%

9% Economic crisis 15% First mention

9% All mentions Poverty 14%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 23 How do you feel about the direction of each of the following issues during the past four years?

Progressed Neither progressed nor regressed Regressed Don't know/No answer

Freedom of speech 41% 31% 25% 3%

Individual human rights 35% 35% 28% 2%

Media independence 31% 36% 30% 3%

Education 29% 39% 21% 10%

Democracy 25% 43% 27% 5%

National security 20% 40% 29% 11%

Economy 7% 22% 69% 1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 24 Mood of the Country Do you think that things in Georgia are going in the....

Right direction Wrong direction Don't know/No answer 80%

70%

70% 65% 65% 65% 63% 63% 60% 58% 59% 60% 57% 56% 57% 56% 55% 54% 55% 50% 51% 48% 48% 48% 50% 47% 43% 43%

40% 41% 41% 42% 33% 39% 41%41% 32% 31% 31% 38% 36% 29% 27% 30% 25% 24% 25% 24% 25% 22% 21% 27% 26% 20% 16% 22% 20% 19% 19% 16% 16% 16% 10% 14% 15% 14% 12% 13% 13% 12% 13% 10% 10% 10% 11% 11% 11% 11% 11% 6% 0%

26 Over the last two months,* the economic situation in Georgia has…

Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 1% 7% 21% 34% 36% 1% Mar-16 1%6% 25% 31% 34% 3% Feb-15 7% 29% 33% 29% 2% Feb-14 1% 15% 52% 22% 7% 3% May-13 1% 26% 53% 12% 3% 5% Feb-13 1% 26% 58% 10% 1% 4% Nov-12 1% 11% 78% 7%1%2% Jul-12 2% 28% 47% 15% 5% 4% Mar-12 2% 26% 45% 17% 6% 4% Nov-11 2% 25% 42% 19% 8% 3% May-11 1% 19% 30% 32% 14% 3% Oct-10 1% 24% 27% 31% 13% 3% Mar-10 1% 20% 35% 27% 13% 3% Oct-09 2% 19% 34% 25% 15% 4% Jun-09 1%6% 20% 37% 34% 2% Feb-09 1% 8% 19% 37% 34% 2% Sep-08 3% 12% 20% 39% 23% 4% Feb-08 4% 20% 28% 30% 16% 2% Sep-07 1% 17% 27% 32% 22% 1% Feb-07 3% 34% 27% 22% 10% 3% Apr-06 2% 30% 28% 25% 11% 3% Oct-05 3% 34% 32% 18% 7% 5% Jun-05 5% 44% 33% 10% 4% 4% Oct-04 4% 40% 38% 10% 3% 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% * In surveys before 2008, respondents were asked about the three months prior to the poll. 27 Over the last 12 months,* the financial situation of your household has... Improved a lot Improved somewhat Stayed the same Worsened somewhat Worsened a lot Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 1%5% 37% 28% 28% 1% Mar-16 4% 41% 26% 29% Feb-15 4% 45% 28% 22% 1% Feb-14 8% 64% 20% 7% 1% May-13 1% 11% 70% 13% 4%1% Feb-13 10% 76% 11% 2%1% Nov-12 6% 83% 8%1%1% Jul-12 1% 9% 61% 21% 8% Mar-12 1% 9% 54% 23% 12% 1% Nov-11 1% 11% 53% 23% 11% 1% May-11 1% 9% 44% 29% 16% 1% Oct-10 1% 11% 42% 29% 16% 1% Mar-10 1% 9% 49% 24% 15% 2% Oct-09 1% 10% 48% 23% 16% 2% Jun-09 4% 38% 26% 31% 1% Feb-09 4% 33% 32% 30% 1% Sep-08 1%6% 45% 28% 19% 1% Feb-08 1% 10% 48% 26% 15% 1% Sep-07 1%7% 46% 26% 20% Feb-07 1% 14% 49% 21% 13% 1% Apr-06 1% 14% 49% 22% 14% 1% Oct-05 1% 15% 57% 18% 8% 1% Jun-05 2% 21% 58% 12% 6% 1% Oct-04 1% 16% 61% 14% 6% 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

* In surveys before 2008, respondents were asked about the three months prior to the poll. 28 How would you evaluate the prevailing mood of the Georgian population?

Optimistic Neutral Pessimistic 100% 92% 92% 88% 90% 87% 83% 81% 82% 78% 76% 76% 77% 80% 75% 74% 73% 72% 70% 68% 70% 64% 65% 66% 60% 59% 50%

40% 33% 30% 29% 30% 24% 25% 25% 22% 21% 22% 19% 18% 18% 18% 17% 20% 16% 15% 13% 9% 8% 7% 7% 8% 10% 5% 6% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 0%

29 Issues of Concern What were the most successful reforms passed by the current government? (three possible answers) 18% Healthcare 19%

3% Visa-free travel to the EU 4%

3% Education 4%

2% Free textbooks 2%

1% General domestic policy 1% First mention 1% Agriculture All mentions 1%

1% Other 6%

16% None 16%

54% Don't know/No answer 54%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

31 What are the three biggest failures of the government? (three possible answers)

23% Unfulfilled promises 28% 13% Economic crisis 19% 11% Inflation 23% 10% Unemployment 16% 4% Lack of professionalism 6% 3% Loyalty to the United National Movement* 4% 2% Lack of judicial reform 3% 2% Tax increases 5% 2% Increased prices 5% 2% General lack of ability 2% 1% Failure to return lost territories 3% 1% Poor healthcare 2% 1% Deteriorating criminal situation 2% First mention 1% Social problems 2% All mentions Poor policies 1% 1% 1% Relations with Russia 2% 7% Other 14% Nothing 2% 2% 13% Don't know/No answer 13% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% * Now the main opposition party, the United National Movement was the ruling party from 2004-2012.

32 What are the three main accomplishments of the government? (three possible answers)

25% Solving healthcare problems 33% 10% Visa-free travel to the EU 14% 5% Solving agricultural problems 6% 3% Improving education 9% 3% Police reform 5% 2% Free textbooks 6% 2% Improving infrastructure 3% 2% Protecting human rights 3% First mention 1% All mentions Reforming the correctional system 2% 1% Increasing pensions 2% 1% Defeating United National Movement* 3% 1% Improving roads 2% 1% Reforming kindergartens 2% 4% Other 12% 18% Nothing 18% 21% Don't know/No answer 21% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% * United National Movement and former President led the Georgian government from 2004-2012. 33 What concerns you most about the future of the country? (three possible answers)

22% Threat of war 28% 13% Internal unrest 20% 10% Difficult economic situation 16% 5% Permanent loss of territories 9% 5% Hunger 8% 3% Unemployment 5% 3% Russian aggression 5% 2% Migration 4% 2% Fear of future 3% 2% First mention Loss of traditions 3% 2% All mentions Loss of hope 2% 1% Crime 3% 1% Confrontation with church 2% 1% Inflation 2% 3% Nothing 3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 34 Are you willing to sacrifice economic growth in the short term in order for Georgia to meet the requirements of the European Union Association Agreement?

Yes No Maybe Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 14% 48% 17% 21%

Mar-16 12% 51% 12% 25%

Feb-15 10% 42% 15% 33%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 35 Governance and Institutions Overall, do you think the political environment in Georgia is conducive to finding solutions to the problems you face in your daily life?

Definitely Mostly Just a little Not at all Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 2% 7% 42% 42% 7%

Mar-16 7% 23% 33% 30% 7%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 37 Please tell me your opinion of the work of the following institutions? Favorable Unfavorable No opinion Georgian Orthodox Church 88% 8% 4% Army 86% 9% 5% Georgian media 74% 23% 3% Police 59% 35% 6% Office of the President 55% 40% 5% Education system 52% 37% 11% Office of the Prime Minister 45% 48% 7% Central Election Commission 40% 44% 16% Office of the Ombudsman 39% 39% 22% Parliament 39% 58% 3% Government (Cabinet of Ministers) 38% 58% 4% Local authorities 37% 54% 9% Office of the Prosecutor 31% 52% 17% Courts 30% 53% 17% Governors 24% 48% 28% National Bank 21% 70% 9% Political parties 20% 71% 9% Trade unions 13% 50% 37% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

38 How do you assess the performance of the following institutions in terms of openness and transparency?

Open and transparent Not open and transparent Don't know/No answer

Ministry of Justice 46% 43% 11%

Office of the President 43% 47% 10%

Police 41% 49% 10%

Office of Prime Minister 37% 54% 9%

Government of Georgia 34% 62% 4%

Local authorities 33% 60% 7%

Courts 22% 64% 14%

Office of the Prosecutor 21% 62% 17%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 39 In your opinion, in the last four years, has the corruption situation…?

14% 15%

Improved

Remained the same

Deteriorated

Don't know/No answer

30%

41%

40 If you could only have one or the other, which is more important to you: a democratic system of government or a prosperous economy?

Democracy is definitely more important to me Democracy is somewhat more important to me Prosperity is somewhat more important to me Prosperity is definitely more important to me Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 23% 12% 22% 34% 9%

Mar-16 20% 9% 23% 38% 10%

Feb-15 22% 16% 35% 15% 12%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 41 If there are two candidates running for office and they have the same qualifications aside from the fact that one is a man and one is a woman, which candidate are you more likely to support? Man Woman Makes no difference to me Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 25% 12% 60% 3%

Mar-16 31% 17% 50% 2%

Feb-15 32% 17% 48% 3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 42 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of women.”

Agree Disagree Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 25% 62% 13%

Mar-16 36% 52% 12%

Feb-15 27% 59% 14%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 43 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of women.” (continued; disaggregated by gender)

Agree Disagree Don't know/No answer

Men 23% 62% 15%

Women 28% 61% 11%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 44 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of young people.”

Agree Disagree Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 27% 59% 14%

Mar-16 45% 40% 16%

Feb-15 36% 45% 19%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 45 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of young people.” (continued; disaggregated by age)

Agree Disagree Don't know/No answer

18-29 31% 55% 14%

30-49 25% 62% 13%

50+ 26% 59% 15%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 46 Domestic Policy Do you support efforts to establish quotas for women’s representation in elected bodies, including Parliament and Sakrebulos?*

Very supportive Somewhat supportive Somewhat unsupportive Very unsupportive Neutral Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 21% 22% 11% 12% 20% 14%

Mar-16 21% 26% 9% 14% 15% 15%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

* Sakrebulos are local councils at the incorporated city/town and unincorporated county/regional levels of government.

48 Are you aware of the Government’s tax increase initiative?*

2%

25%

Yes

No

Don't know/No answer

73%

* In December 2016, the Georgian Parliament adopted tax increases on tobacco, automobiles, oil, and gambling. The new taxes went into effect on January 1, 2017. 49 If you are aware of the Government’s tax increase initiative, how would you evaluate the new tax increases? (those aware of the tax initiative, N=1,091)

1% 2%

Positively

Negatively

Don't know/No answer

97%

50 Are you aware of the government’s decision to amend its contract with the Russian company, Gazprom?*

2%

30%

Yes

No

Don't know/No answer

68%

* Over a series of meetings between the Georgian Ministry of Energy and Gazprom in December 2016 and January 2017, the two parties agreed to modify the existing contract. Favorable purchase prices were allegedly exchanged for Georgia’s facilitation of gas transit between Russia and Armenia. The full details of the revised deal have not been disclosed by the government. 51 How would you evaluate the decision to amend the contract with Gazprom? (those aware of the Gazprom decision, N=1,021)

11% 15%

Positively

Negatively 16% Neither

Don't know/No answer

58%

52 Have you heard about the court case involving 2 ownership?*

Yes No Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 96% 3%1%

Mar-16 91% 8% 1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% * Rustavi 2, which many consider to be the last truly independent TV channel in Georgia, lost a lawsuit over corporate ownership on March 2, 2017 (after this poll was already in the field). The judgment (currently stayed after an injunction issued by the European Court of Human Rights in March 2017) would return the station to its pre-2011 owner who is suspected of ties to former Prime Minister .

53 If you have heard of the RUSTAVI 2 case, what is your opinion about it?

45% It is politically motivated 54%

26% Its both political and an individual dispute 16%

18% It is a matter between two individuals 16% Mar-17, N=1,445

Mar-16, N=1,361 Other 1%

11% Don't Know/No answer 13%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

54 Political Parties Which political parties, if any, are active in your region?

Georgian Dream 29%

United National Movement 12%

Patriotic Alliance 1%

Free Democrats 1%

Other 2%

None 50%

Don't know/No answer 14%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

56 Which political party can deal most successfully with the most important problems that Georgia is facing?

Georgian Dream 13%

United National Movement 10%

European Georgia* 2%

Labour Party 1%

Patriotic Alliance 1%

Free Democrats 1%

United Democratic Movement 1%

None 38%

Don't know/No answer 33%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% * European Georgia was formed in January 2017 following a split in the United National Movement leadership.

57 For which of these political parties would you vote if local elections were held next Sunday and these parties were participating?

Georgian Dream 26% 3%

United National Movement 15% 5%

European Georgia 7% 8%

Labour Party 6% 5%

Patriotic Alliance 4% 5%

Free Democrats 3% 3% First choice United Democratic Movement 2% 2% Second choice

New Political Center - Girchi 1% 1%

Republicans 1% 1%

Other 1% 1%

None 15% 12%

Don't know/No answer 20% 54%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 58 For which of these political parties would you vote if local elections were held next Sunday and these parties were participating? (continued; likely voters*, N=1,233)

Georgian Dream 30%

United National Movement 15%

European Georgia 8%

Labour Party 6%

Patriotic Alliance 4%

Free Democrats 3%

United Democratic Movement 2%

New Political Center - Girchi 1%

Republicans 1%

None 12%

Don't know/No answer 19%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% * See slide 66.

59 For which political parties would you never vote? (multiple answers possible)

Georgian Dream 27%

United National Movement 25%

United Democratic Movement 8%

New Political Center - Girchi 8%

European Georgia 7%

Patriotic Alliance 7%

Labour Party 6%

Republicans 4%

Free Democrats 3%

New Georgia 3%

None 11%

Don't know/No answer 25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

60 What is your opinion of the following Georgian politicians and other well-known persons in Georgian society? Favorable Unfavorable Never heard of him/her Don't know/No answer

Giorgi Margvelashvili 67% 30% 3% 65% 28% 2%5% 55% 42% 1%3% David Bakradze* 50% 47% 3% 48% 46% 1%5% 39% 56% 1% 4% 37% 59% 1%3% 35% 60% 1% 4% 32% 52% 5% 11% Levan Berdzenishvili 30% 61% 2% 7% 29% 63% 2% 6% Irma Inashvili 27% 66% 2%5% Nino Burjanadze 23% 72% 1% 4% Davit Tarkhan-Mouravi 22% 69% 3% 6% 19% 62% 7% 12% 14% 34% 32% 20% Tamar Kordzaia 14% 43% 25% 17% Zurab Japaridze 14% 63% 11% 12% 8% 35% 37% 20% Gia Zhorzhorliani 8% 45% 28% 19% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% * Former Speaker of Parliament under UNM, now a leader of European Georgia. 61 Elections and Electoral Administration Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The Central Election Commission (CESKO) performs its work in a trustworthy manner.”

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 15% 35% 21% 14% 15%

Mar-16 15% 38% 16% 13% 18%

Feb-15 26% 43% 12% 6% 13%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 63 Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the 2016 parliamentary elections?

Agree Disagree Don’t know/No answer

Voting processes were well- 59% 31% 10% organized

Voting processes were free of 36% 16% bribery and corruption 48%

The 2016 parliamentary 48% 43% 9% elections were free and fair

The campaign before the 2016 47% 42% 11% election was fair and legitimate

I am confident in the election results, including counting and 42% 40% 18% reporting

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 64 Did you vote in the 2014 local elections?

2%

23%

Yes

No

Don't know/No answer

75%

65 Will you vote in the 2017 local elections?

7%

5%

5%

Yes

Probably yes

Probably no 19% No

Don't know/No answer

63%

66 Will you vote in the 2017 local elections? (continued; disaggregated by age) Yes Probably yes Probably no No Don't know/No answer

18-29 52% 22% 8% 6% 12%

30-49 62% 22% 4% 5% 7%

50+ 69% 16% 5% 5% 5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 67 What are the two most important factors for you when voting for mayor/gamgebeli?*

Candidate independence 50%

Candidate platform 39%

Ruling party candidate 14%

Opposition party candidate 5%

Candidate cares for people 3%

Candidate is a patriot 2%

Candidate is an intellectual 1%

Candidate is honest 1%

Other 1%

Don't know/No answer 7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% * The gamgebeli is the equivalent of a county administrator for an unincorporated municipality or region.

68 How do you think the should be elected?

3% 5%

Selection by Parliament

Direct popular election

Don't know/No answer

92% 69 Sources of Information Which Georgian TV stations do you watch regularly? (multiple answers possible)

Imedi TV 80% Rustavi 2 77% Maestro 28% Public Broadcasting 28% GDS TV 18% TV Pirveli 14% Obiekt TV 13% 9% Patriarch’s Channel 6% Kavkasia 5% Palitra TV 5% Georgian Channel 3% Regional TV stations 3% II Channel 3% None 6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

71 Which Georgian TV station do you trust the most for news and political information? (three possible answers)

Rustavi 2 44% 64% Imedi TV 33% 68% Public Broadcasting 3% 19% Obiekt TV 2% 7% Maestro 2% 19% TV Pirveli 1% 6% GDS TV 1% 6% Adjara 1% First mentioned 3% All mentioned Palitra TV 1% 3% Other 1% 5% None 9% 9% Don't know/No answer 3% 3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 72 Which TV news program do you trust the most? (three answers possible)

45% "Kurier" (Rustavi 2) 62%

29% "Kronika" (Imedi) 64%

3% "Moambe" (Public Broadcasting) 18%

2% "Kontakt" (Maestro) 17%

2% "Akhali Ambebi" (Obiekt TV) 6%

1% "News of the Day" (TV Pirveli) 7% First mentioned

2% All mentioned Other 8%

12% None 12%

4% Don't know/No answer 4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 73 Which TV talk show do you watch most frequently? (three answers possible)

"Archevani" (Rustavi 2) 40% 51% "Imedis Kvira" (Imedi) 18% 43% "Politics" (Imedi) 7% 22% "Evening" (Obiekt TV) 1% 3% "Rviani" with Nino Jhijhilashvili (TV Pirveli) 1% 3% "Interview" (Public Broadcast) 1% 6% "Interaktivi" (Obiekt TV) 1% 2% "2030" (GDS TV) First mentioned 2% All mentioned "Rviani" with Vakho Sanaia (TV Pirveli) 3% Other 1% 8% None 26% 26% Don't know/No answer 4% 4% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 74 Which sources do you most use for information about the current international situation?

Georgian TV 93%

Georgian internet news 21%

Facebook 13%

Russian TV 7%

Georgian print media 6%

Georgian radio 3%

Azerbaijani TV 1%

Euronews TV 1%

Russian internet news 1%

Other 0.4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

75 Which of these sources do you trust most for information about the current international situation?

Georgian TV 84%

Georgian internet news 6%

Facebook 3%

Russian TV 1%

Georgian print media 1%

Georgian radio 1%

Other 2%

None 3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

76 Is Georgian mass media free to express various political views or does the government control media content?

Totally free Somewhat free Not very free Not free at all Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 18% 51% 20% 5% 6% Mar-16 23% 54% 13% 3% 6% Feb-15 30% 53% 7% 1% 9% Feb-14 29% 55% 7% 1% 8% May-13 22% 59% 7% 1% 10% Feb-13 27% 55% 8% 1% 9% Nov-12 17% 56% 14% 3% 10% Mar-12 14% 40% 21% 11% 14% Nov-11 14% 38% 25% 9% 14% May-11 16% 42% 19% 7% 16% Oct-10 13% 39% 22% 11% 15% Mar-10 11% 43% 22% 9% 15% Oct-09 15% 37% 23% 11% 14% Jun-09 10% 35% 25% 14% 15% Feb-09 14% 35% 26% 14% 11% Sep-08 13% 44% 24% 8% 11% Feb-08 10% 41% 28% 13% 7% Sep-07 13% 47% 28% 5% 7% Feb-07 22% 53% 14% 2% 9% Apr-06 17% 51% 20% 4% 8% Oct-05 20% 45% 16% 3% 16% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

77 Why do you think that Georgian mass media is not free to express various political views?

76% 71% Government puts pressure on media 41% 45% 9% 7% Media is corrupt 15% 12% 3% 10% Media does not report bad news 9% 13% 1% Mar-17, N=368 1% Mar-16, N=248 Other 2% Feb-15, N=125 1% Feb-14, N=312 11% 11% Don't know/No answer 33% 28%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 78 How many times per week do you access the internet?

Every day 5-6 times per week 3-4 times per week 1-2 times per week Less often Never Don't know/No answer

Mar-17 42% 3% 5% 4% 3% 42%

Mar-16 34% 4% 6% 3% 4% 49%

Feb-15 31% 4% 5% 4% 2% 55%

Feb-14 27% 3% 5% 4% 4% 57%

May-13 23% 3% 5% 4% 4% 61%

Feb-13 26% 3% 4% 3% 6% 58%

Nov-12 24% 3% 4% 5% 5% 59%

Jul-12 21% 2%4% 5% 6% 63%

Mar-12 21% 2%4% 4% 4% 65%

Nov-11 18% 2%4% 3% 5% 68%

May-11 18% 2%4% 5% 7% 62% 2% Oct-10 15% 2%4% 5% 6% 67%

Mar-10 14% 2%3%3% 4% 74%

Oct-09 12% 2%3%3% 6% 72% 1% Jun-09 11% 1%2%3% 5% 77% 1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 79 Where do you access the internet?

87% Home 82%

26% Mobile phone 24%

19% Work 20%

4% Mar-17, N=866 Friend's house 4% Mar-16, N=766

1% Other 1%

2% Don't know/No answer 1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 80 How often do you do the following activities on the internet? (internet users, N=866)

Every day 5-6 times/week 3-4 times/week 1 -2 times/week Less often Never Don't know/No answer

Read political news 7% 6% 8% 9% 11% 57% 1%

2% Read political blogs 2%3%5% 11% 76% 2%

1% Watch political videos 5% 5% 11% 74% 2% 2%

2% Visit a political party's Facebook page 1% 5% 1%1% 89% 2%

1%3% Take part in political discussion 1% 92% 2% 1% 1% 3% Visit a politician's/Official's Facebook page 1% 92% 2% 1%

Visit a party website 1% 6% 88% 2% 2% 1% Communicate with a politician 94% 3% 2%

1% Follow a political figure on 2% 94% 2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 81 Which internet sites do you visit most often to read the news?

19% Ambebi.ge 20%

18% Facebook.com 15%

7% News.ge 1%

4% interpressnews.ge 3%

2% Presa.ge Mar-2017, N=866 2% Mar-2016, N=766 2% Myvideo.ge 1%

1% newposts.ge 3%

4% Other 4%

52% None 59%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 82 Which social media sites do you use most often? (three possible answers)

87% Facebook 83%

16% Odnoklasniki 32%

3% Twitter 4%

1% Vkontakte Mar-17, N=866 2% Mar-16, N=766 1% LinkedIn 1%

7% None 2%

3% Don't know/No answer 7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 83 Demographics Demographics

Male 46% Female 54% GENDER 18-29 20% 30-49 37% AGE 50+ 43% Georgian 94% Armenian 2% Azeri 2% ETHNICITY Other 2% Incomplete secondary 4% Secondary 39% Vocational 19%

EDUCATION Higher/Incomplete higher 38% Blue collar 6% Farmer 4% White collar 5% Executive 13% Retired 18% Student 3% OCCUPATION Housewife 15% Unemployed 34% Self-employed 3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 85 Demographics

Orthodox Christian 90%

Muslim 6%

Other 3% RELIGION

None 1%

Tbilisi 29%

Other town 28% TYPE

SETTLEMENT Rural area 43%

Tbilisi 29%

Kakheti 9%

Shida Kartli 7%

Kvemo Kartli 11%

Samtskhe-Javakheti 4%

Ajara

REGIONS 9%

Guria 3%

Samegrelo 9%

Imereti 15%

Mtskheta-Mtianeti 3%

0% 50% 100% 86 Center for Insights in Survey Research 202.408.9450 | [email protected] www.IRI.org | @IRI_Polls