Survey of Macedonian Public Opinion
April 19-25, 2016 Detailed Methodology • The survey was conducted on behalf of the International Republican Institute by the Brima market research firm (member of Taylor Nelson Sofres and Gallup International) in cooperation with Chariot LLC in San Francisco, California.
• Data was collected from April 19 to 25, 2016, using in-person, face-to-face methodology by trained professional interviewers.
• A total of 1,104 interviews were completed, yielding an overall margin of error of plus or minus three percent at the midrange of the 95-percent confidence level. A nationally representative sample was based on a multistage stratification proportionate to population sample distribution, with a random selection of households and respondents. The response rate was 75 percent.
• The sample was prepared using the State Statistical Office data (2002 census results) for the population aged 18 and older. It also considered the structure of the population according to age, gender, education, type of housing, national affiliation and region while updating accordingly to estimates and primary information, collected by Brima.
• Stratification was based on three stages: first, the number of respondents for each of region was specified in proportion to the size of its population aged 18 and older. Second, the sampling plan consisted of 163 sampling points located according to urban/rural split, municipality size and nationality diffusion. Third, the selection of households was based on a random route method, whereby in urban areas, every third household on the left-hand side of the street was selected. In rural areas, the wave-wise approach was applied to select every fourth inhabited house/dwelling on both sides of the interviewer’s route/track, counting from the first house on the left.
• The next birthday method was used to select respondents 18 years and older.
• Figures in charts and tables may not add to 100 percent due to rounding error.
• This poll was conducted with support from the United States Agency for International Development. The Political Situation in Macedonia How would you describe the current internal political situation in Macedonia?
70%
61% 59% 60% 56% 55% 55% 61% 51% 51% 50% 54% 48% 44% 53% 44% 45% 45% 46% 42% 44% 43% 38% 40% 36% 43% 43% 36% 43% 41% 42% 41% 40% 39% 38% 39% 29% 30% 35% 28% 23% 23%
20% 15% 16% 19% 13% 13% 12% 19% 10% 13% 12% 12% 10% 9% 9% 15% 10% 8% 7% 7% 6% 5% 3% 4% 3% 3% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% 3% 2% 2% 3% 4% 2% 3% 6% 2% 0% 3%
Peaceful and Stable Intense and Uncertain Critical and Unstable Don't Know/Refused to Answer 4 Is the Republic of Macedonia more or less stable today than it was one year ago?
80%
70% 67% 60% 58% 58% 60% 54% 54% 54% 53% 51% 50% 51% 47% 47% 50% 46% 46% 45% 47% 43% 43% 42% 42% 43% 40% 35% 35% 33% 30% 33% 31% 26% 27% 29% 28% 27% 38% 30% 24% 25% 26% 35% 25% 21% 23% 21% 22% 31% 17% 18% 18% 16% 18% 20% 25% 24% 14% 15% 20% 21% 23% 22% 17% 19% 18% 19% 10% 5% 5% 5% 3% 4% 3% 3% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3% 2% 2% 3% 0%
More Less Same Don't Know/Refused to Answer
5 Overall, is Macedonia moving in the right or wrong direction?
70%
60% 58%
50% 48% 48% 48% 45% 43% 44% 41% 40% 40% 46% 38% 39% 39% 40% 37%38% 33% 38% 39% 34% 35% 36% 33% 33% 32% 31% 32% 36% 36% 30% 29% 36% 30% 32% 33% 28% 26% 28% 33% 31% 31% 31% 27% 31% 29% 24% 28%28% 32% 27% 27% 29% 21% 26% 19% 26% 25% 24% 24% 24% 20% 23% 22% 23% 20%
10% 2% 3% 3% 2% 2% 3% 1% 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 0%
Right Direction Wrong Direction Neutral Don't Know/Refused to Answer
6 In your opinion, what are the two most serious problems facing Macedonia today? (Open-Ended)
27% Unemployment 44% 17% General/current political 26% situation/the political crisis 12% 38% Poverty, low standard of living, 10% problems of common people 13% 23% 7% Economic crisis and financial crisis 12% 19% Low or non-payment of salary or 5% pension 10% 14% 3% Corruption 6% 9% 3% Crime 5% 8% 1% High prices 4% 6% 1% Immigration/youth 4% 3% 2% The current protests 2% 4% Poor performance of the current 1% 3% government 2% 1% Law and order, rule of law 3% 2% Security crisis, peace, stability, 1% 3% war, terrorism 1% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
First Mention Second Mention 7 Do you support or do not support President Ivanov’s decision to pardon all politicians and their associates against whom there are judicial investigations in regards to the political crisis and the wiretapping?
12% 9%
I completely support it 14% I somewhat support it
I somewhat do not support it
I completely do not support it 11% Don't know/Refused to answer
53%
8 Should the politicians who were pardoned by the President about deeds connected to the political crisis and the wiretapping be eligible or not be eligible to be candidates for MPs in the upcoming parliamentary elections?
12% 18% Yes, they should be eligible
No, they should not be eligible Don't know/Refused to answer
70%
9 A special public prosecutor, Katica Janeva, was appointed to investigate cases connected to the wiretapped conversations mentioned previously. Do you think that Ms. Janeva will be able to investigate these cases independently and without obstruction?
50% 45% 44% 40% 38% 35% 35% 33% 30% 27% 28%
25% 22% 20% 20% 18% 17% 15% 13%
10% 7% 5% 0% Yes No I have not heard of Don’t know/ this appointment Refused to answer
October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
10 Do you support the work of the Special Public Prosecutor for the resolution of the wiretapping scandal?
12% I completely support it
I somewhat support it 17% 42% I somewhat do not support it
I completely do not support it
9% Don't know/ Refused to answer
21%
11 Some people think that the conditions for free and fair elections in Macedonia (including cleaning the voter list, increasing the capacity of the State Election Commission, and establishing regulations reducing political interference in the media) have been met and because of this elections should take place on June 5; while others think that these conditions have not been met and because of this the elections should be postponed until the conditions are fulfilled. Which is closer to your opinion?
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25% 45% 47% 20% 39% 38% 15%
10% 16% 15% 5%
0% Elections should take place on Elections should be postponed Don't know/ June 5 Refused to answer January 2016 April 2016
Note: Data taken for January 2016 relates to proposed April 24, 2016 election date. 12 How likely, if at all, are you to vote in the next elections expected on June 5, 2016?*
60% 52% 50%
39% 40%
30% 22% 19% 20%
11% 12% 9% 10% 10% 8% 7% 5% 6%
0% Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat Very unlikely Would not vote Don't know/ unlikely Refused to answer January 2016 April 2016
* In January, the question was phrased “How likely, if at all, are you to vote in the next elections expected on April 24, 2016?” 13 How likely, if at all, are you to vote in the next elections expected on June 5, 2016?
Age 55+ 46% 16% 8% 13% 7% 10%
Age 35-54 40% 18% 11% 12% 8% 11%
Age 18-34 31% 22% 7% 8% 16% 16%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Would not vote Don't know/Refused to answer 14 Do you think there are conditions in the country to hold free and fair elections?
April 2016 48% 45% 7%
January 2016 59% 35% 6%
October 2015 63% 30% 7%
Definitely Yes / Probably Yes Definitely No / Probably No Don't know 15 As you may know, a credible voter list should contain all eligible voters in the country and not have any ineligible or duplicate voters in it. How confident are you in the accuracy of the voter list in Macedonia?
35% 31% 30% 29% 27% 26% 26% 24% 25% 23% 21% 20% 17% 17% 15% 15% 13% 12% 10% 10% 9%
5%
0% I am very I am somewhat I am not that I am not Don’t know/ confident confident confident confident at all Refused to answer
October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
16 Do you think that state institutions are capable of sufficiently addressing any irregularities, should they occur, on Election Day?
45% 40% 40% 39% 38% 35% 35% 33% 32% 30%
25% 21% 20% 17% 18% 15% 10% 10% 9% 9%
5%
0% Yes, they are capable No, they are not No, they are not Don't know sufficiently capable capable at all
October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
17 What institution do you think is most responsible to ensure the elections will be free, democratic and with no irregularities?
60% 51% 50% 43% 40% 33% 30% 25% 20% 20% 17% 17%18% 13% 11% 11% 11% 9% 10% 10% 7% 2% 2% 2% 0% State Election Ministry of The Political Parties The Judiciary Don’t know/ Commission Internal Government Refused to Affairs/Police answer
October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
18 To what degree did you trust the following according to their actions in the last 12 months?
Special Public Prosecution 33% 40%
The President 30% 52%
Ministries 27% 43%
The Government 27% 53%
State Election Commission 26% 44%
Public Prosecution 25% 46%
The Assembly 23% 54%
Courts 21% 52%
Media 20% 43% State Commission 20% 52% for Prevention of Corruption
Political Parties 16% 49%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I Trust Them/ I Have No Trust/ I Fully Trust Them I Have No Trust at All
19 Do you believe that your vote on Election Day is secret?
80% 69% 71% 70% 66% 66% 62%
60% 61% 49% 50%
40% 39% 31% 27% 28% 30% 23% 22% 23% 20% 13% 11% 10% 8% 7% 7% 7% 11%
0% Feb-14 May-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16
Yes No Don't Know/Refused to Answer
20 Who do you think violates the secrecy of your vote? Those who think that their vote on election day is not secret, n=309
38% Political Parties, All of Them 39% 43% 15% The Government 12% 19% 17% VMRO-DPMNE 12% 6% 1% SDSM 1% 7% April-16 DUI 5% 6% January-16 1% DPA 0% 1% October-15 3% State Election Commission 8% 6% 0% The Police 2% 1% Don't Know/ 18% 20% Refused to Answer 19% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
21 Have you or has a member of your family, relative or someone you know personally ever been subject to pressure, such as force, threats, vote-buying or other illegal means, to vote in a particular way?
80% 75% 74% 72% 71% 72% 67% 70% 70% 67%
60%
50%
40%
30% 24% 24% 17% 18% 19% 18% 19% 20% 15%
7% 7% 7% 8% 10% 5% 5%5% 5%5%5% 3% 4% 4% 3% 3% 4% 0% I Personally Know People I Was Personally I Was Neither Subjected Don't Know/ Who Were Subjected to Subjected to Pressure to Pressure nor Know Refused to Answer Pressure People Who Were February 2014 May 2014 September 2014 December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
In Feb. 2014 responses refer to 2011, 2013 and 2014 elections. In May 2014 responses refer to 2014 elections 22 Has Nikola Gruevski done his job well enough to deserve re-election?
70% 66% 61% 61% 61% 60% 56% 55% 55% 59% 51% 53% 52% 50% 54% 54% 47% 48%48% 48% 45% 45% 46% 45% 43% 44% 44% 47% 42% 40% 39% 40% 39% 37% 38% 38% 41% 35% 40% 39% 40% 33% 38% 30% 36% 30% 32% 33% 27% 31% 23% 27% 25% 20% 24% 22% 23% 18% 17% 15% 17% 17% 15% 15% 15% 13% 18% 12% 13% 15% 16% 13% 14% 13% 15% 10% 14% 12% 11% 13% 11% 11%
0%
Yes No Don't Know/Refused to Answer 23 Euro Atlantic Orientation Prevails How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Macedonia’s interests are best served by maintaining strong relations with:
European Union 39% 34% 9% 9% 9%
Germany 33% 37% 9% 10% 11%
Turkey 26% 37% 12% 12% 13%
America 29% 29% 14% 17% 11%
Russia 24% 29% 12% 23% 13%
China 16% 30% 14% 23% 17%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
25 According to you, which one of these countries helps Macedonia’s national interests the most?
European Union 22%
Turkey 12%
Russia 11%
United States of America 10%
Germany 7%
China 1%
Neither 19%
All of them 5%
Don't know 13%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
26 Do you support Macedonia becoming a member of the EU?
100%
96% 95% 96% 90% 94% 93% 93% 94% 92% 92% 90% 87% 80% 84% 80% 70% 76% 76% 72% 72% 72% 72% 71% 60%
50%
40%
30% 23% 22% 22% 23% 19% 20% 20% 20% 14% 12% 7% 9% 9% 5% 7% 6% 6% 6% 7% 10% 3% 4% 4% 4% 6% 6% 8% 4% 6% 5% 4% 0% 2% 4% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Yes No Don't Know/Refused to Answer
27 In how many years do you think Macedonia will become a member of the EU?
16% 1-5 years1-5 21% 18% 25% 6-106-10 years 25% 23% More Than 27% More Than 10 years 21% 10 25% 18% NeverNever 17% 18% Don't Know 14% 16% NoDon't Answer Know/ 17% Refused to Answer 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
28 Do you think Macedonia is closer to EU entry today, or was it closer when it got its EU candidate member status?
60% 56%
51% 50% 50% 50% 45% 43% 44%
40% 39% 32% 32% 28% 28% 30% 34% 26% 26% 26% 28% 27% 25% 25% 20% 23% 24% 21% 18% 10%
0% Feb-14 May-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Jun-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Closer Today When It Got the Status of EU Candidate Country Don't Know/Refused to Answer
29 According to you, what is the reason for the slowdown in Macedonia’s EU integration?
48% The Name 45% Issue 47% 41% Lack of 23% 28% Domestic 27% Reforms 28% 16% New Conditions 15% Set by the EU 15% 17% Don't Know/ 11% 9% Refused to 9% Answer 11% 2% 0% Other 2% 3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
30 Do you support Macedonia becoming a member of NATO?
100% 92% 94% 94% 92% 91% 91% 90% 90% 89% 89% 89% 90% 87% 85% 83% 83% 78% 77% 76% 80% 74% 73%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% 19% 20% 16% 18% 20% 15% 13% 11% 12% 9% 10% 10% 9% 8% 8% 7% 8% 10% 6% 5% 6% 7% 7% 8% 5% 6% 7% 5% 3% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% 0% 1% 2%
Yes No Don't Know/Refused to Answer
31 Given its capacities, how do you feel the Macedonian government has handled the refugee crisis?
21% It is providing too much support to the refugees 28% 27%
34% It is providing sufficient support to the refugees 37% 35%
It is providing some support, but needs to do 11% 10% more for the refugees 9%
It is not providing sufficient support to the 16% 16% refugees 14%
7% I am not aware of the current refugee crisis 4% 5%
12% Refuse to answer/Don't know 5% 11%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
32 In your opinion, how is the European Union’s handling of the refugee crisis affecting Macedonia?
70%
59% 60% 54%
50% 46%
40%
30% 21% 18% 19% 20% 16% 17% 17% 13% 10% 10% 10%
0% Positively Negatively It Has No Effect Don't know/ Refused to answer October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
33 Citizens’ Everyday Concerns and Economic Issues Speaking personally, is your overall quality of life…?
60% 54% 53% 53% 53% 52% 50% 50% 51% 50% 48% 49% 48% 48% 48% 50% 49% 47% 47% 47% 45% 45% 44% 40% 38% 40% 39% 37% 37% 36% 37% 42% 35% 38% 32% 37% 37% 31% 36% 30% 33% 34% 26% 31% 32% 24%
19% 20% 17% 17% 18% 22% 15% 16% 16% 15% 15% 20% 14% 14% 19% 13% 13% 13% 13% 12% 13% 11% 10%
1% 0% <1% 1% 0% 1% <1% 1% <1% 0% 0% <1% 1% 0% 1% <1% 0% <1% 1% 1% 1% 0%
Getting Better Staying the Same Getting Worse Don't Know/Refused to Answer
35 How is your family’s economic situation compared with one year ago?
60% 53% 54% 54% 51% 50% 52% 48% 50% 50% 46% 51% 45% 44% 45% 45% 44% 43% 44% 44% 45% 42% 44% 40% 44% 43% 43% 43% 42% 42% 43% 42% 41% 35% 35% 35% 33% 32% 35% 30% 34% 33% 32% 32% 32% 30%
20% 20% 20% 21% 20% 18% 16% 16% 15% 16% 15% 14% 14% 14% 14% 10% 13% 13% 14% 13% 13% 12% 11%
1% <1%<1% 0% 0% 0% <1% 0% 0% 0% <1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0%
Much or Somewhat Better Much or Somewhat Worse Same Don't Know/Refused to Answer 36 In the next two years, will the Macedonian economy get better, get worse or stay the same?
60%
50% 50% 44% 43% 43% 43% 40% 40% 39% 38% 37% 40% 36% 37% 37% 35% 35% 35% 35% 35% 35% 34% 34% 33% 31% 33% 33% 36% 30% 31%30% 30% 29% 31% 29% 33% 34% 29% 29% 29% 30% 32% 32% 30% 30% 29% 29% 29% 29% 28% 30%32% 23% 28% 21% 26% 19% 25% 25% 26% 20% 23% 21% 19% 20% 15% 15% 10% 9% 9% 10% 9% 7% 7% 6% 5% 6% 5% 11% 4% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 5% 6% 6% 0%
Better Same Worse Don't Know/Refused to Answer
37 In your opinion, has unemployment increased or decreased over the last year?
90%
80% 76% 75% 74% 75% 71% 71% 71% 70% 67% 61% 72% 58% 60% 55% 54% 53% 50% 52% 46% 50% 49% 50% 44% 46% 44% 38% 37% 41% 40% 34% 43% 45% 41% 42% 30% 29% 39% 39% 30% 27% 23% 35% 21% 21% 24% 19%19% 20% 17%19% 12% 13% 13% 13% 12% 10% 9% 10% 11% 9% 10% 8% 7% 7% 8% 7% 7% 10% 6% 7% 5% 6% 7%
0%
Increased Decreased Don't Know/Refused to Answer
38 According to you, does the government have an effective plan to address the economic problems Macedonia is facing?
70%
59% 58% 60% 56% 56% 57% 54% 52% 53% 51% 50% 49% 49% 49% 50% 50% 46% 45% 42% 40% 42% 41% 40% 38% 38% 38% 38% 37% 36% 37% 36% 30% 34% 34% 33% 32% 32% 33%
20% 18% 12% 14% 10% 13% 13% 13% 13% 12% 13% 14% 12% 10% 11% 11% 10% 8% 9% 0%
Yes No Don't Know/Refused to Answer
39 How would you place your views on this scale?
1 means you agree completely with the statement on the left; 7 means you agree completely with the statement on the right; and if your views fall somewhere in between, you can choose any number in between.
21% 24% 51% 4%
Support more foreign Support more domestic investments and In between investments and companies (5+6+7) Don’t companies (1+2+3) (4) know
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
40 Using the scale in Macedonian schools, from one to five (one being the least important and five being the most important), how important are each of these issues in your daily life?
6.0
5.0 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.8 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.0
3.8 3.7 3.7 3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0 EU Political Reducing Lower Employment Lower Security Higher Membership Stability Corruption Taxes Prices Wages
October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
41 For some people some types of personal security are more important than others. How important is each of the following types of personal security to you?
Health Insurance 97% 2%1%
Physical Security 96% 3% 1%
Pension 88% 4% 7% Insurance
Job Security 73% 4% 22%
Social Aid 54% 12% 33%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Very Important/Important Very Unimportant/Unimportant Not applicable
42 Regardless of how you answered the previous question, can you tell me if the security of each of the following is getting worse, is the same, or is getting better for you personally?
Health Insurance 15% 57% 25% 1%2%
Pension Insurance 13% 47% 23% 13% 4%
Physical Security 10% 57% 30% 2%2%
Job Security 7% 39% 23% 26% 4%
Social Aid 5% 27% 19% 40% 8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Better Same Worse Not Applicable Don't know
43 When was life better for you, today or before the breakup of Yugoslavia?
80% 70% 70% 68% 69% 70% 70% 69% 67% 67% 68% 67% 70% 64% 64% 64% 63% 62% 60% 60% 60% 57%
50%
40%
30% 27% 26% 24% 24% 24% 24% 22% 22% 22% 22% 23% 22% 22% 19% 20% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20% 18% 16% 16% 10% 14% 14% 14% 12%12% 12% 12% 10% 11% 10% 10% 9% 8% 8% 9% 9% 0%
Today Before breakup Don't Know/Refused to Answer
44 If you could have only one or the other, which is more important to you: a democratic system of government or a prosperous economy?
45% 41% 40% 38%
35% 33%32% 32% 30% 28% 27%27% 25% 25% 22% 20%21% 20% 18% 16% 15% 15%14% 14% 15% 15% 13%
10% 9% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5%
0% Democracy is Democracy is Prosperity is Prosperity is Don't Know/ Definitely More Somewhat More Somewhat More Definitely More Refused to Answer Important to Me Important to Me Important to Me Important to Me December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
45 Do you think that free speech and the free expression of ideas exists in Macedonia today?
60% 55% 51% 51% 49% 48% 48% 49% 48% 50% 48% 48%
47% 46% 46% 46% 45% 44% 45% 40% 43% 42% 38% 30%
20%
9% 10% 10% 6% 6% 7% 7% 6% 4% 5% 5%
0% Dec-10 Nov-12 Feb-14 May-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Jun-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16
Yes No Don't Know/Refused to Answer
46 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of young people.”
80% 69% 70% 68% 63% 64% 60% 60%
50%
40% 33% 29% 29% 30% 23% 24% 20%
10% 8% 8% 7% 7% 7%
0% Agree Disagree Don't Know/Refused to Answer
December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
47 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of women.”
60% 52% 50% 49% 49% 50% 47% 42% 39% 39% 40% 36% 37%
30%
20% 14% 14% 12% 12% 9% 10%
0% Agree Disagree Don't Know/Refused to Answer
December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
48 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?
80% 73% 72% 69% 70% 66% 59% 60%
50%
40%
30% 23% 19% 18% 20% 16% 17% 14% 12% 12% 13% 9% 10% 3% 2% 1% 2% 1% 0% Man Woman Makes No Difference to Don't Know/ Me Refused to Answer
December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
49 Media What is your primary source of political news? Multiple Responses
100% 90%90% 89% 90% 87% 88%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% 35% 37% 30% 30% 27% 23%23% 23% 16% 18% 19% 20% 15% 12%13% 12% 13% 10% 7% 8% 7% 5% 4% 4% 4% 5% 2% 3% 0% Television Radio Print Media Family/ Political Parties Internet/ Friends Web Pages
December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
51 Which television station do you watch most often for political news?
21% Alsat M 22% 24% 20% SITEL 28% 23% 13% Kanal 5 14% 13% 13% 24 Vesti 10% 12% 10% Telma 8% 10% April 2016 6% Do Not Watch TV 4% 6% January 2016 5% MTV (Macedonian Language) 5% 5% October 2015 2% Alfa 1% 3% 1% MTV (Albanian Language) 1% 2% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
52 Do the following TV stations favor or do not favor a particular political party?
MTV 47% 2% 1% 15% 33%
0% Sitel 69% 1% 6% 22%
Telma 7% 31% 23% 35%
Kanal 5 53% 3% 11% 31%
Alsat-M 2% 7% 18% 3% 19% 49%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
VMRO-DPMNE SDSM DUI DPA Not in favor of any party Don't know
53 Which daily newspaper do you read most often for political news?
67% Do Not Read Newspapers 66% 63% 7% Koha 8% 9% 7% Dnevnik 8% 7% 4% Vest 4% 6% 4% Lajme 4% April 2016 4% 3% January 2016 Sloboden Pecat 3% 4% October 2015 1% Vecer 2% 2% 2% Utrinski Vesnik 2% 1% 1% Nova Makedonija 2% 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
54 Which weekly newspaper do you read most often for political news?
85% Do Not Read Weekly Newspapers 88% 87% 90%
5% Fokus 5% 5% 5% April 2016 January 2016 3% October 2015 Republika 3% June 2015 3% 2%
1% Kapital 1% 1% 1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
55 To what level do you agree with the statement? “Government advertising in the media negatively affects press freedom.”
April 2016 29% 17% 22% 8% 10% 14%
January 2016 26% 18% 23% 10% 11% 12%
October 2015 25% 16% 26% 9% 9% 15%
December 2014 22% 21% 26% 10% 8% 14%
September 2014 18% 17% 32% 9% 7% 16%
May 2014 15% 14% 36% 11% 11% 13%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Completely Agree Somewhat Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Somewhat Disagree Completely Disagree Don't Know/Refused to Answer
56 Political Parties and Elections To which political party do you belong or would you consider joining?
30% 27% 24% 24% 25% 23%
20% 18% 16% 15% 15% 12%
10% 6% 6% 6% 4% 4% 4% 5% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 0% VMRO- SDSM DUI DPA NDR Other Undecided BESA Would Not No DPMNE Join Answer/ Refused to January 2016 April 2016 Answer
58 (If all parties participate), for which party would you vote if parliamentary elections were held today?
35% 31% 30% 27%
25% 22%23%
20% 18% 16% 15%
10% 9% 7% 7% 7% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 5% 3% 3% 4% 2% 1% 0%
January 2016 April 2016
59 Which party, in your opinion, is most active in your village/town/city?
Don't Know/Refused to 15%17% 17% Answer 13% 1% 3% Other 2% 2% 13% None 14%15% April 2016 14% January 2016 BESA 0%1% 1% 0% 1% October 2015 NDR 2% 2% 1% June 2015 1% GROM 2% 2% 3% 3% DPA 2% 2% 9% DUI 10% 11% 11% SDSM 6% 9% 7% 45% 42% VMRO-DPMNE 45% 47% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
60 Which party, in your opinion, works the hardest to get your support?
11% Don't Know/ 18% Refused to Answer 15% 14% 2% 3% Other 3% 3% 33% 31% None 30% 28% 2% 2% NDR 1% 1% 1% 1% BESA 2% 2% 3% 2% DPA 3% 3% 7% DUI 5% 6% 13% 10% SDSM 9% 13% 27% 27% VMRO-DPMNE 32% 30% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
61 Using the scale used in Macedonian schools, what grade would you give for the overall performance of … ?
3 2.73 2.54 2.7 2.58 2.36 2.48 2.29 2.5 2.16 2.17 2.26 2.21 2.12 2.02 2.04 1.96 1.79 1.99 1.92 1.89 1.98 1.87 1.72 1.91 1.95 2.02 1.9 1.84 1.82 1.87 1.87 2 1.74 1.79 1.84 1.65 1.77 1.8 1.66 1.57 1.6 1.5
1
0.5
0 SDSM DUI VMRO-DPMNE DPA NSDP DOM NDR BESA
December 2014 June 2015 October 2015 January 2016 April 2016
62 Using the scale used in Macedonian schools, what grade would you give for the overall performance of … ?
3
2.88 2.86 2.8
2.8 2.75
2.7 2.7
2.68 2.67
2.59 2.59
2.6 2.55
2.52
2.51 2.51 2.5 2.45 2.49 2.48
2.43 2.42 2.44 2.41 2.38 2.4
2.4 2.34 2.31
2.29 2.29
2.28 2.28 2.26 2.19 2.21
2.2 2.15 2.11
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1 Government Opposition (Former) Prime President Parliament Media President of Minister Parliament December-14 June-15 October-15 January-16 April-16 63 When you think about people in public political life, who is the one person in Macedonia that you view most favorably? (Open-Ended)
38% None 35% 45% 21% Nikola Gruevski 23% 18% 9% Zoran Zaev 8% April 2016 5% January 2016 4% Ali Ahmeti 4% 4% October 2015 2% Gjorge Ivanov 4% 4% 2% Menduh Thaci 2% 1% 2% Branko Crvenkovski 2% 3% 1% Rufi Osmani 2% 2% 2% Zijadin Sela 1% 1%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
64 I will read you a list of public figures in Macedonia. Please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion of that person. If you have never heard of that person please just say so…
45% 49%
34% 34% 33% 25%
19% 17% 12% 5% 12% 11% 11%
-15% -21% -22% -24% -25% -36% -37% -35% -35%
-47% -55% -55% -54% -55% -58% -64% -61% -61% -72% -72% -75% Gjorge Nikola Zoran Liljana Tito Ali Menduh Billal Katica Ivanov Gruevski Zaev Popovska Petovski Ahmeti Thaci Kasami Janeva
65 Why do you support the party you vote for; is it because it can help you or your family personally or do you support it because you believe it is the best for the country as a whole?
Because it can help me or my family 6% personally 21% Because I believe it is the best for the country as a whole
Both at the same time
14% 49% I do not vote
10% Don't know
66 Why do you support the party you vote for; is it because you identify with this party or do you support this party because you think they are the best choice for Macedonia right now?
7% Because I identify with that party
22%
Because I think that party is the best choice right now
Both at the same time 14% 47% I do not vote
11% Don't know
67 What do you consider to be the most important characteristic of a political leader? Multiple responses
Responsible/Fulfills promises 35%
Honest 34%
Understands the problems of the people 29%
Qualified/Competent 22%
Visionary 15%
Consistent political views 14%
Hardworking 14%
Trustworthy 13%
Don't Know 5%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
68 Demographics Demographics
Female 50%
GENDER Male 50%
18-34 33%
35-54 36% AGE
55-65+ 32%
Macedonian 64%
Albanian 26%
Turkish 3%
Roma 2% ETHNICITY
Serbian 1%
Other 4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
70 Demographics Student 5% Unemployed 23% Retired 19% Housewife 9% Professional 7%
White Collar Worker 9% OCCUPATION Agricultural 3% Blue Collar Worker 23%
Other 1% 0-9000 Denars 7% 9001-18000 Denars 22% 18001-27000 Denars 21%
27001 Denars or More 21% (MONTHLY)
Don't know/Refused to Answer 29% HOUSEHOLD INCOME HOUSEHOLD None/Incomplete Elementary 4% Elementary 21% Secondary 51%
EDUCATION Higher Education/University 24%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
71 Center for Insights in Survey Research 202.408.9450 | [email protected] www.IRI.org | @IRI_Polls