SEPTEMBER 2010 ISSN 1233-7250 OPINIONS ABOUT COALITION GOVERNMENT CONTENTS: OF THE CIVIC PLATFORM AND POLISH PEOPLE'S PARTY (PO-PSL) R OPINIONS ABOUT THE COALITION GOVERNMENT The coalition of the Civic Platform and Polish People's Party was the most favourably OF THE CIVIC PLATFORM evaluated of all coalition governments in the Third Republic. Even though many people AND POLISH PEOPLE'S noticed the political differences PARTY (PO-PSL) DO YOU THINK THAT THE PARTIES IN THE GOVERNING COALITION HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION between the two parties from ABOUT MAJOR ISSUES IN THE COUNTRY? the very beginning, these R BUDGET DEFICIT Rather yes discrepancies were not as Rather AND TAX INCREASES 36% prominent as in the case of yes Definitely 48% 19% 7% Definitely yes former coalitions. The smooth XI 2007 yes IX 2010 32% process of coalition forming Rather 22% 14% R LOCAL GOVERNMENT not Don't 16% Don't know moved political differences know 3%They don't into the background. However, Rather not 3% They don't differ at all differ at all the three years of shared R PARITY government brought the points where the parties disagree into the light. Immediately after - A LEGAL SAFEGUARD the coalition government had been formed, 43% of respondents admitted they noticed AGAINST UNDER- REPRESENTATION differences in the political agenda of the two parties. Presently, 67% claim they are aware of OF WOMEN IN POLITICS the discrepancies. Fewer than a fifth do not see any major differences (19%, compared to 35% three years ago). DO YOU THINK THAT THE COOPERATION Despite certain tensions OF THE TWO COALITION PARTNERS: within the coalition, the THE CIVIC PLATFORM AND POLISH PEOPLE'S PARTY IS:

PUBLIC OPINION cooperation of the two parties is XI 2007* 4% 57% 14% 1% 24%

RESEARCH CENTER rather harmonious, especially if II 2008 8% 49% 18% 5% 20% - CBOS - we compare it to the situation in previous coalitions. The present X 2008 4% 36% 36% 9% 16% 4a Żurawia government may therefore be the X 2009 3% 42% 33% 5% 17% 00-503 Warszawa IX 2010 1% 39% 33% 4% 23% POLAND first after 1989 to govern the country together with a coalition very good rather good rather bad very bad don't know Ph: (48 22) 629 35 69 partner for the whole term. The In 2007 the question concerned the future cooperation of the Civic Platform (48 22) 628 37 04 respondents' opinions about the and Polish People's Party (48 22) 693 46 91 cooperation between the two parties are divided. Despite political differences between the Civic Platform and Polish People's Party, slightly Fax:(48 22) 629 40 89 DO YOU THINK THAT THE COALITION OF THE CIVIC PLATFORM AND POLISH more people assess the cooperation positively E-mail: [email protected] PEOPLE'S PARTY WILL LAST TILL (40%, compared to 37% who assess it negatively). http://www.cbos.pl THE END OF THE TERM, I.E. AUTUMN 2011? Presently, the opinions about the coalition are 51% Editor: worse than two years ago, but still they have not Beata Roguska changed much in the two years from the formation 22% 14% 12% of the coalition. Translated by The stability of the coalition Michał Wenzel 1% Definitely Rather Rather Definitely Don't government is the reason why, on the whole, yes yes not not know people expect the cooperation to continue. The © COPYRIGHT BY CBOS 2010 majority of respondents (65%) believe that the present coalition will last till the end of the ALL SOURCES MUST BE CREDITED term, and 13% doubt it. WHEN ANY PART OF THIS PUBLICATION IS REPRODUCED More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Opinions about coalition government of the Civic Platform and Polish People's Party", September 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: September 2010, N=1041. The random address sample is representative for adult population of Poland. 2 PPOLISH UBLICO PINION

BUDGET DEFICIT Poles showed some understanding for the decision to increase VAT. Over half of the surveyed AND TAX INCREASES people (53%) agree that it is a "necessary evil". In public opinion (63% of respondents), the In recent months, there has been much debate country's income will increase by increasing VAT, but the about the state of public finances. The growing budget move will have negative effects as well. More than half deficit in Poland (in 2008 it was 1.9% GDP and in 2009 – (59%) are not convinced that raising VAT will be 7.1% GDP) made the Government accept a long term insignificant and will not be felt by an average Pole. It is a financial plan which involves increasing VAT next year. widely held belief (77%) that it will result in a Earlier on, similar steps were taken by other EU considerable increase in the prices of goods and services. countries. Nearly two thirds of respondents (65%) share Avast majority of respondents are aware that the entrepreneurs' conviction that the "grey area" in trade and country's budget balance is not maintained. Nearly three services will grow, i.e. there will be more transactions quarters (73%) think that Poland's spending exceeds that avoid paying VAT. A smaller yet significant number budget income by a wide margin. About one respondent of people (44%) think that increasing this tax will hamper in eight (13%) thinks that spending exceeds income only economic growth. slightly. Few people (4%) believe that the country's WITH WHICH OF THE STATEMENTS DO YOU AGREE income fully covers its spending. AND WITH WHICH DO YOU DISAGREE? WHAT DO YOU THINK In view of the present financial situation of Poland raising VAT is a "necessary evil" IS THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IN POLAND: 18% 35% 23% 14% 10% the country's spending does not exceed its income The planned increase in VAT is small and won't affect an average citizen much 4% 7% 25% 35% 24% 9% the country's spending 13% slightly exceeds Increasing taxes will result in a significant rise of prices of goods and services the country's spending its income exceeds its income 73% 42% 35% 13% 3% 7% by a wide margin 10% Increasing taxes will hamper economic growth don't know 14% 30% 24% 5% 27%

The "grey area" in trade and services will grow after increasing taxes - there will be more transactions that avoid paying VAT 29% 36% 14% 2% 19% Data show that Poles are aware of the country's Raising taxes will increase the country's income considerable budget deficit. The surveyed people would 18% 45% 18% 4% 14% rather see the problem solved by cutting the Poland's I definitely I rather I rather I definitely Don't know spending (70%) than raising taxes (4%). Probably, the agree agree disagree disagree respondents' preferences largely depend on their assessment of how each solution would affect the society More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in and themselves. Raising taxes appears to have a more Polish:"Budget deficit and tax increases." , September 2010. direct influence on individual household budget. The Fieldwork for national sample: August 2010, N=986. The random effect of limiting the country's expenses seems to be more address sample is representative for adult population of Poland. vague. Moreover, many people might favour limiting spending over increasing taxes because they believe that LOCAL GOVERNMENT public money should be more rationally managed than is the case at present. In October 2009, 16% of respondents In this year's oncoming local elections, Poles will thought that Donald Tusk managed public money well, choose local government, city presidents, mayors and 39% believed it was satisfactory and 32% - said it was district leaders. This is an opportunity for Poles to unsatisfactory. directly and democratically evaluate the work of local government in different administrative units in Poland. THERE IS A RELATIVELY HIGH BUDGET DEFICIT IN POLAND Poles perceive the closing term as rather (THE COUNTRY'S SPENDING SUBSTANTIALLY EXCEEDS successful for local governments. Nearly two thirds of ITS INCOME). WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS? respondents (61%) claim that in the four years from the last elections the overall situation in their district or We should raise taxes 4% locality has changed for the better. Only one respondent We shouldn't decrease in twenty (5%) claims that the situation has changed for the deficit at present but 15% it might be necessary We should limit the worse in the last four years and less than a third say it in the future 70% the country's spending has practically remained the same. 11% Don't know In 2002, when elections to local governments were taking place, Poles were asked to assess the changes in the overall situation in their localities between 1998 3

and 2002. Compared to that assessment, Poles now view PLEASE ASSESS HOW THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED the changes in the last four years far more positively. The IN YOUR DISTRICT OR LOCALITY IN THE FOUR YEARS SINCE THE LAST LOCAL ELECTIONS WITH REGARD access to EU funds and their more widespread and TO THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS: effective use by local governments seems to have helped VIII 2010 74 21 3 2 exterior look of your locality to improve public opinion in this matter. X 2002 63 30 5 2 PLEASE ASSESS HOW THE OVERALL SITUATION tidiness of the streets, public VIII 2010 59 34 6 1 places and waste disposal IN YOUR DISTRICT OR LOCALITY HAS CHANGED X 2002 46 42 8 4 SINCE THE LAST LOCAL ELECTIONS VIII 2010 55 27 6 11 renovation of public buildings X 2002 32 37 15 16 61% X 2002 VIII 2010 VIII 2010 53 12 4 31 47% obtaining EU funds 39% 30% X 2002 10% 5% 4% 4% quality of roads VIII 2010 49 26 24 2 It has changed Practically nothing It has changed Don't X 2002 31 31 34 4 for the better has changed for the worse know functioning of cultural institutions VIII 2010 46 30 7 18 The most frequently mentioned changes that X 2002 attractiveness of your locality VIII 2010 45 40 4 10 took place since the last elections concern the exterior or district for tourists look of their localities. Three quarters of respondents X 2002 VIII 2010 41 46 8 5 safety of inhabitants (74%) claim that their locality looks better than four years X 2002 18 54 23 5 ago. Three fifths (59%) mentioned that the tidiness in the changes in the sewage system VIII 2010 39 49 5 7 streets and other public places has improved and more X 2002 26 57 6 11 than a half (55%) approve of the renovation of public access to water supplies VIII 2010 37 57 3 3 buildings. About every second respondent notices an X 2002 28 62 4 6 improvement in the ability to obtain EU funds (53%), the state of environment VIII 2010 36 46 9 9 quality of roads (49%) and an improvement in the way X 2002 29 52 10 9 VIII 2010 33 46 9 13 cultural institutions function (46%). The fact that their situation on a housing market locality or district became more attractive for the tourists X 2002 14 61 16 9 school and education system VIII 2010 32 35 10 22 is noticed by 45% of respondents. X 2002 21 40 20 19 All other aspects (i.e. the safety of inhabitants, functioning of public VIII 2010 31 45 7 16 changes in the sewage system, access to water supplies, administration offices X 2002 14 56 13 17 state of environment, situation on a housing market, public transport VIII 2010 29 35 14 22 school system, functioning of public administration X 2002 22 50 14 14 offices, public transport, connections with other connections with other localities VIII 2010 27 35 25 13 localities, public support for the poor, environment for X 2002 20 48 21 12 investors who could create new work places, situation in public support for the poor VIII 2010 27 34 10 29 the healthcare system and the management of land by X 2002 12 42 28 18 environment for investors who VIII 2010 25 37 17 21 local governments) are said to be working on a similar could create new work places X 2002 11 38 28 23 level as four years ago. situation in the healthcare system VIII 2010 23 43 27 7 Poles are most critical about local governments' X 2002 18 42 33 7 involvement in improving the healthcare system (27% management of land VIII 2010 17 31 8 44 said that the situation in the healthcare system has by local governments X 2002 7 39 17 37 deteriorated in the last four years), connections with other for the better it practically for the worse don't know localities (25%), quality of roads (24%) and environment hasn't changed for investors creating new work places (17%). Compared to opinions in 2002, when local More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Local governments and the assessment of changes that have government's term in office was drawing to an end, the taken place since last local elections", September 2010. Fieldwork for present assessment of changes that have been taking national sample: August 2010, N=986. The random address sample is place for the last four years improved in all respects. The representative for adult population of Poland. most prominent differences regard the safety of inhabitants (positive opinions have increased by 23 PARITY - A LEGAL percentage points), renovating public buildings (+ 23%), SAFEGUARD AGAINST the situation on the housing market (+19%), the quality of roads (+18%), the work of public administration offices UNDER-REPRESENTATION (+17%), public help for the poor (+15%), environment OF WOMEN IN POLITICS. for investors creating new work places (+14%), changes in the sewage system (+13%) and tidiness of streets and Presently in Poland, there is much debate about public places (+13%). increasing the number of parliamentary seats for women 4 PPOLISH UBLICO PINION and broadening their influence in politics by passing an number of women in politics. Slightly fewer people act defining the percentage of women in Polish (43%) are against taking special measures to increase the parliamentary elections, European parliamentary role of women in politics. However, only one out of eight elections and elections to local governments. Polish respondents (13%) justifies his/her negative opinion on Women's Congress (Kongres Kobiet Polskich) put forth this issue by admitting they would not like to see the role in December last year a bill that would ensure women's of women in politics increased. stronger presence in Polish politics. The women who DO YOU THINK THAT SOME STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN initiated the idea believe that the existing law in Poland ORDER TO INCREASE THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS? does not sufficiently allow women to access key political I 2010 VIII 2010 roles on par with men. The bill proposes to follow the Yes some steps should be taken because example of some countries and introduce parity system. 48% 49% women's opportunity to participate in politics is more limited than men's DO YOU THINK THAT IN POLISH POLITICS THERE SHOULD BE: No special steps should be taken but I support 30% women's presence in politics Total Women Men 36% No special steps should be take because I more women than presently 10% 13% disapprove of increasing women's role in politics 40% 6% 8% Don't know 47% 54% more men than presently 4% According to the bill put forth by the Polish 4% the number of men and women 4% in politics is appropriate Women's Congress, the number of women on electoral 30% 35% 25% the sex of politicians registers should be at least equal with the number of men. is meaningless Over half of respondents (56%) support this idea and less 17% 14% 20% don't know than a third (29%) oppose it. 2% 3% 1% IN DECEMBER 2009, A BILL WAS PUT FORTH IN THE POLISH The prevailing number of respondents believe PARLIAMENT ACCORDING TO WHICH THE NUMBER OF that more women should be holding important political WOMEN ON ELECTORAL REGISTERS TO POLISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY seats in Poland (47%). Less than a third (30%) think that ELECTIONS AND ELECTIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS the number of men and women in politics is appropriate. SHOULD BE AT LEAST EQUAL WITH THE NUMBER OF MEN. Only four in a hundred claim there should be more men in DO YOU SUPPORT THIS IDEA? politics. It is worth noticing that about one in six (17%) mentioned that, for them, the sex of politicians is 21% 35% 20% 9% 15% meaningless. Women far more frequently than men I definitely I rather I'm rather I'm Don't support it support it against it definitely know support the idea of increasing the role of women in the against it country's politics and men claimed more often that the present number of men and women in politics is More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in appropriate. Polish: "Parity - a legal safeguard against under-representation of Nearly every second respondent (49%) sees the women in politics.", September 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: August 2010, N=986. The random address sample is representative for necessity to take some steps in order to increase the adult population of Poland.

In addition to the reports referred to above, the following have been published recently (in Polish):

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