Public Opinion Survey: Residents of Moldova

July 16, 2020 – August 23, 2020 Detailed Methodology • The survey was coordinated by Ipsos on behalf of the International Republican Institute’s Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR). The survey fieldwork was carried out by Magenta Consulting.

• Data was collected throughout Moldova (with the exception of Transnistria) between July 16, 2020 and August 23, 2020 through computer-assisted phone interviews (CATI) using a dual-frame survey mode consisting of both mobile phones and landline phones. • Mobile interviews: random selection of respondents using randomly generated mobile numbers of all Moldovan cellphone providers • Landline interviews: • Stage one: All districts (raions) of Moldova are grouped into 11 groups; all regions (with the exception of Transnistria) were surveyed. For all districts (raions) of Moldova numbers were randomly generated for each raion using raion prefixes • Stage two: Respondents were selected in households using the “last birthday” selection principle

• The sample, including an oversample of Chisinau, consisted of n=2,017 permanent residents of Moldova aged 18 and older and eligible to vote and is representative of the general population by age, gender, region and settlement size.

• Sampling frame: Moldova Statistical Databank. Weighting: Data was weighted for phone ownership, age groups, gender and settlements type using the last available population figures by the National Bureau of Statistics. For national level analysis, the Chisinau oversample was weighted back down to its national proportion.

• The margin of error does not exceed plus or minus 2.5 percent for the nationwide data, or plus or minus 4.2 percent for the Chisinau data

• The response rate was 7 percent. This response rate is lower than CISR's generally accepted response rates even for telephone polls, which generally have lower response rates than face-to-face polls. However, additional vetting of the sample did not reveal any evident bias, and the sample is a close approximation of the Moldovan adult population in terms of demographic parameters. Due to the COVID-19 necessitated change in mode from face-to-face to telephone polling, CISR advises to treat any trend comparisons against past polls with caution.

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

• The survey was funded by the United States Agency for International Development. 2 Mood of the Country In general, would you say that Moldova is heading in the right direction or in the wrong direction? Right direction Wrong direction Don't know/No answer 90% 83% 82% 79% 78% 80% 73% 74% 73% 71% 72% 69% 68% 68% 70% 66% 67% 61% 58% 57% 58% 62% 60% 55% 54% 54% 53% 51% 47% 45% 50% 51% 47% 42% 40% 38% 38% 41% 40% 42% 41% 32% 37% 26% 30% 34% 33% 32% 33% 30% 31% 27% 27% 20% 19% 24% 24% 23% 23% 22% 21% 13% 11% 9% 15% 17% 10% 16% 10% 14% 15% 14% 15% 14% 5% 5% 5% 5% 12% 13% 12% 13% 10% 11% 11% 1% 10% 8% 9% 8% 8% 6% 9%

0% 5% 6% 7%

Apr-06 Apr-08

Jan-12

Oct-17 Oct-18

Jun-14 Jun-18 Jun-19 Jun-09

Sep-14 Sep-16 Sep-10

Mar-04 Mar-07 Mar-16

Feb-10 Feb-18 Feb-11

Aug-11

Dec-11 Dec-18 Dec-19

Nov-04 Nov-08 Nov-09

May-10

Oct-15*

Mar-17** Aug-20*** *In December 2014, news broke of a major banking scandal involving nearly $1 billion missing from three state banks. The scandal is often referred to as “the stolen billion.” **In 2016, Moldova conducted the first popular presidential election since 1996. Igor Dodon was elected in the second-round contest on November 13, 2016. *** Interviews for the August 2020 survey were done via computer-assisted phone interviews (CATI). All previous polls were conducted through face-to-face interviews. 4 What is the most important problem facing Moldova today? (Respondents permitted to supply three spontaneous answers; problems mentioned by at least 4 percent of respondents)

Economy: Unemployment 32% Economy: Low income 23% Country's leadership/Incompetent, unprofessional governance 22% Coronavirus 18% Corruption 17% Pensions 13% Healthcare 11% Economy: Cost of living, High prices 10% Poverty 10% Economy: Other/General 9% Political instability/Better politics 9% Emigration 9% Infrastructure 7% Education 6% The mentality of society/Indifferent, irresponsible citizens 4% Internal conflicts 4% Natural disasters 4% Don't know/Refused to answer 5%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 5 What is the most important problem facing your household today? (Respondents permitted to supply three spontaneous answers; problems mentioned by at least 3 percent of respondents) Economy: Low income 33% Economy: Unemployment 24% Healthcare 21% Economy: Cost of living/High prices 13% Pensions 12% Coronavirus 7% Emigration 7% Social services/Benefits 5% Poverty 5% Economy: Other/General 4% Insecurity 4% Education 4% Infrastructure 4% Corruption 4% Housing 4% COVID-related problems 3% Water 3% No (other) problem 12% Don't know/Refused to answer 6%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 6 Which specific issues should be the top priorities for the government to address? (Respondents permitted to supply three spontaneous answers; problems mentioned by at least 3 percent of respondents)

Economy: Unemployment 27% Economy: Low income 22% Solve problems of people in general/Listen to people 15% Coronavirus 13% Healthcare 12% Social services/Benefits 12% Country's leadership/Incompetent, unprofessional governance 12% Infrastructure 10% Corruption 10% Economy: Other/General 9% Economy: Cost of living/High prices 8% Political instability/Better politics 8% Education 7% Emigration 5% Agriculture 5% International relations 3% Don't know/Refused to answer 10%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 7 How would you describe the current economic situation of your household?

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad Don't know/Refused to answer

Nationwide 3% 54% 27% 15% 2%

Chisinau 2% 58% 26% 12% 2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% *Nationwide (Base n=2017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 8 In the coming 12 months, how do you expect the economic situation of your household to change? Improve a lot Improve somewhat Stay the same Worsen somewhat Worsen a lot Don't know/Refused to answer

Nationwide 2% 22% 37% 14% 6% 19%

Chisinau 2% 21% 41% 17% 6% 14%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% *Nationwide (Base n=2017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 9 Elections If presidential elections were held this coming Sunday, for which candidate, if any, would you vote? If presidential elections were held this coming Sunday, and the candidate you mentioned is not on the list, for which candidate, if any, would you vote? (Nationwide, n=2,017) First choice Second choice

Maia Sandu 20% 6% Igor Dodon 18% 3% Renato Usatii 7% 4% Vladimir Voronin 4% 4% Andrei Nastase 3% 7% Pavel Filip 3% 2% Marina Tauber 2% <1% Dorin Chirtoaca 1% 2% Zinaida Greceanii 1% 3% Ilan Shor 1%<1% Andrian Candu <1% 2% Octavian Ticu <1% <1% Other 3% 2% None (spoiled ballot) 1% 2% I would not vote 10% 21% Don't know/Refused to answer 23% 38%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 11 If presidential elections were held this coming Sunday, for which candidate, if any, would you vote? If presidential elections were held this coming Sunday, and the candidate you mentioned is not on the list, for which candidate, if any, would you vote? (Chisinau respondents, n=549) First choice Second choice Maia Sandu 27% 7% Igor Dodon 16% 3% Vladimir Voronin 5% 4% Renato Usatii 4% 4% Andrei Nastase 2% 8% Zinaida Greceanii 2% 4% Dorin Chirtoaca 2%4% Octavian Ticu 2% 1% Pavel Filip 2% 1% Andrian Candu <1%1% Ion Chicu <1%2% Ilan Shor 1% <1% Marina Tauber 1%<1% Tudor Deliu <1%<1% None (spoiled ballot) 2% 2% Other 3% 3% I would not vote 13% 25% Don't know/Refused to answer 19% 31%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 12 If there were to be a runoff, which means a second round of elections, in your opinion, which two candidates would participate in it? (Respondents permitted to supply two answers; Nationwide, n=2,017)

Igor Dodon 42%

Maia Sandu 41%

Renato Usatii 10%

Andrei Nastase 7%

Zinaida Greceanii 6%

Vladimir Voronin 6%

Pavel Filip 4%

Dorin Chirtoaca 3%

Andrian Candu 2%

Marina Tauber 2%

Tudor Deliu <1%

Other 2%

I would not vote 3%

Don't know/Refused to answer 33%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 13 If there were to be a runoff, which means a second round of elections, in your opinion, which two candidates would participate in it? (Respondents permitted to supply two answers; Chisinau respondents, n=549)

Maia Sandu 52% Igor Dodon 50% Renato Usatii 8% Andrei Nastase 8% Vladimir Voronin 6% Zinaida Greceanii 4% Dorin Chirtoaca 4% Pavel Filip 3% Andrian Candu 2% Ilan Shor 2% Marina Tauber 1% Tudor Deliu <1% I would not vote 4% Other 2% Don't know/Refused to answer 26%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 14 If parliamentary elections were held this coming Sunday, for which party, if any, would you vote? If parliamentary elections were held this coming Sunday, and the party you mentioned is not on the list, for which party, if any, would you vote? (Nationwide, n=2,017)

First choice Second choice Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (Greceanii) 17% 3% Political party "Action and Solidarity" (Sandu) 16% 4% Political party “Șor” (Șor) 6% 3% Our Party (Usatii) 4% 2% Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (Voronin) 3%3% Political party "Dignity and Truth Platform" (Nastase) 3% 6% Democratic Party of Moldova (Filip) 3%3% Political party "Pro Moldova" (Candu) 1% <1% Liberal Party (Chirtoaca) <1% 2% Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (Deliu) <1% <1% National Unity Party (Țîcu) <1% <1% European People's Party of Moldova (Sturza) <1%<1% None (spoiled ballot) 2% 1% Other 4% 4% I would not vote 12% 26% Don't know/Refused to answer 28% 42%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 15 Do you think that a single opposition presidential candidate increases the opportunity for success for the opposition?

Definitely yes Probably yes Probably no Definitely no Don't know/Refused to answer

Nationwide 23% 30% 13% 10% 24%

Chisinau 25% 28% 15% 11% 20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% *Nationwide (Base n=2017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 16 Politics Which politician or public person do you trust the most? (Respondents permitted to supply three spontaneous answers; persons mentioned by at least 2 percent of respondents nationwide) Nationwide Chisinau 18% Maia Sandu 23% 15% Igor Dodon 14% 9% Andrei Nastase 10% 8% Renato Usatii 5% 5% Vladimir Voronin 4% 5% Ilan Shor 2% 5% Pavel Filip 3% 4% Zinaida Greceanaia 6% 4% Ion Chicu 5% 3% Dorin Chirtoaca 4% 2% Octavian Ticu 4% 2% Adrian Candu 1% 24% None 28% 25% Don't know/Refused to answer 22% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% *Nationwide (Base n=2,017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 18 Do you approve or disapprove of the Chicu government?

Strongly approve Somewhat approve Somewhat disapprove Strongly disapprove Don't know/Refused to answer

Nationwide 15% 20% 16% 38% 11%

Chisinau 12% 21% 18% 39% 9%

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

*Nationwide (Base n=2,017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 19 COVID-19 To what extent is the coronavirus a concern for you?

Very serious Somewhat serious Somewhat not serious Not at all serious Don't know/Refused to answer

Nationwide 40% 23% 17% 19% 1%

Chisinau 44% 25% 14% 16% 1%

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

*Nationwide (Base n=2,017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 21 To what extent are you satisfied with the local government’s response to the coronavirus?

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat not satisfied Not at all satisfied Don't know/Refused to answer

Nationwide 17% 33% 16% 28% 6%

Chisinau 8% 35% 19% 32% 6%

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

*Nationwide (Base n=2,017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 22 Are your regular payments, such as salaries, pensions, benefits, et cetera, delayed now?

13% 1%

Yes 17% No I don’t have personal income Don't know/Refused to answer

69%

23 International Relations Which country is the biggest foreign donor to Moldova? (Respondents permitted to supply spontaneous answers; top five mentions displayed)

Nationwide Chisinau

29% EU 33%

17% Russia 15%

16% Romania 18%

5% United States 5%

2% Germany 3%

26% Don't know/Refused to answer 21%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% *Nationwide (Base n=2,017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 25 How would you rate current relations between Moldova and the following countries?

Very good Somewhat good Somewhat bad Very bad Don't know/Refused to answer

European Union 10% 63% 13% 1% 13%

Romania 9% 59% 16% 2% 15%

Russia 8% 52% 23% 3% 14%

United States 4% 50% 13% 2% 32%

China 3% 45% 9% 1% 42%

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

26 Which of these countries do you consider to be the most important economic partner(s) and political partner(s) for our country? (Respondents evaluated each country/organization separately as to whether they were among the most important or not) European Union Russia Romania United States China 70% 63%

60% 53% 49% 50%

42% 41% 40% 40%

30% 24% 23% 21% 20% 14%

10%

0% Economic partner Political partner 27 Which of these countries do you consider to be the most important economic partner(s) and political partner(s) for our country? (Chisinau respondents, n=549; Respondents evaluated each country/organization separately as to whether they were among the most important or not) European Union Russia Romania China United States 80%

69% 70%

59% 60%

50% 49% 48% 45% 40% 40%

29% 30% 27% 23% 20% 14%

10%

0% Economic partner Political partner 28 Sources of Information How interested or uninterested are you in political news and information?

22% 1%

Very interested 18% Somewhat interested

Somewhat uninterested

Very uninterested 40% Don't know/Refused to 19% answer

30 Which sources of information do you use most frequently to access political news and information? (Respondents permitted to supply three answers)

First choice Second choice Third choice

Television 52% 21% 3%

Internet (other than social media) 24% 20% 5%

Social media 9% 8% 5%

Radio 5% 11% 8%

Relatives/Friends 2%3% 5%

Print media (newspaper and magazines articles) 1% 4% 5%

None 4%

Don't know/Refused to answer 2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 31 Do you use any of the following social media sites?

Nationwide Chisinau

59% Facebook 70% 50% Viber 60% 45% Facebook messenger 54% 34% Odnoklassniki 26% 29% WhatsApp 35% 26% Instagram 29% 10% Telegram 15% 10% Vkontakte 9% 3% Twitter 4% 3% MoiMir 2% 2% Linkedin 4% 2% LiveJournal 2% 26% I don’t use social media 16% 2% Don't know/Refused to answer 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

*Nationwide (Base n=2,017) Chisinau (Base n=549) 32 Demographics Demographics

60%

53%

50% 47% 44%

40% 36%

30% 25% 22% 20% 20% 20% 15% 13%

10% 4% 1%

0%

50+

Men

18-29 30-49

Women

Secondary

Secondary special

Unfinished secondary

Secondary professional

Complete higher education

Incomplete higher education Don't know/Refused answerto GENDER AGE EDUCATION 34 Demographics

60% 55%

50% 45%

40% 33%

30% 24%

20%

10% 10% 10% 5% 4% 3% 4% 3% 2% 2% 1%

0%

Rural

Other

Urban

Retired

Homemaker

Student/Pupil

Maternity leave

Self-employed full-time

Self-employed part-time

Unemployed, looking for a job

Don't know/Refused answerto

Employed in a paid job full-time

Employed in a paid job part-time Unemployed, not looking for a job OCCUPATION SETTLEMENT TYPE

35 Center for Insights in Survey Research 202.408.9450 | [email protected] www.IRI.org | @IRIglobal