macedonia national public opinion poll - iri · 5 can you please tell me the name of your mayor?*...
TRANSCRIPT
MacedoniaNational Public Opinion Poll
March 4 - 12, 2017
Detailed Methodology• The survey was conducted on behalf of the Center for Insights in Survey Research by the Brima market
research firm in cooperation with Chariot LLC.
• Data was collected from March 4 to 12, 2017, through face-to-face interviews by trained professionals.
• A total of 1,108 interviews were completed, with 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 the population sample distribution, with a random selection of
households and respondents. The response rate was 71 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, housing
type, national affiliation and region, and was updated accordingly with estimates and primary information
collected by Brima.
• Stratification was based on three stages. First, the number of respondents for each of the regions 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. 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, in which the interviewer selects every fourth inhabited house/dwelling on both sides of the
interviewer’s route/track, counting from the first house on the left.
• Some questions were asked using the “sealed envelope method,” in which the respondent provides the
answer anonymously to the interviewer in a sealed envelope.
• The “next birthday method” was used to select respondents 18 years and older.
• Figures in charts and tables may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.
• This poll was conducted with support from the United States Agency for International Development.
• VMRO-DPMNE: Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization –Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity
• SDSM: Social Democratic Union of Macedonia
• DUI: Democratic Union for Integration
• Movement BESA
• MR-DPA (Alliance for Albanians): Movement for Reform –Democratic Party of Albanians
• DPA: Democratic Party of Albanians
• GROM: Citizens Option for Macedonia
• DOM: Democratic Renewal of Macedonia
• NDR: National Democratic Revival
3
Political Party Glossary
5
Can you please tell me the name of your mayor?*
94%
6%
Accurately named themayor
Don't know
*Municipalities in Macedonia are run by directly-elected mayors. There are 80 municipalities in
Macedonia; the city of Skopje is a separate local government unit.
How many of your municipal councilors can you name?*
6
50%
25%
8%
8%
9%
None
1 to 3
3 to 5
Over 5
Don't know/Refused to answer
*A municipal council in Macedonia can be composed of between 9 to 33 councilors, elected from closed proportional party lists.
7
Overall, are things in your municipality moving in the right or wrong direction?
23%
37%
35%
5%
Right direction
Wrong direction
Neutral (neither rightnor wrong direction)
Don't know/Refused to answer
8
How satisfied or unsatisfied are you with the past performance of each of the following:
42%
39%
43%
46%
47%
51%
11%
14%
5%
The localadministration
of yourmunicipality
Your municipalcouncil
Your mayor
Very satisfied/Somewhat satisfied Somewhat unsatisfied/Very unsatisfied
Don't know/Refused to answer
1%
2%
1%
3%
3%
3%
2%
3%
4%
5%
5%
5%
12%
12%
14%
17%
1%
1%
2%
4%
3%
3%
4%
5%
5%
5%
6%
6%
6%
6%
7%
13%
12%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Prevention and protection from natural disasters
Sport and recreation
Culture
Street lighting
Education and schools
Safety/Crime
Public transport
Kindergartens/Elderly care/Social care
Responsiveness and efficiency of local government
Pollution/The environment
Healthcare
Public hygiene/Garbage collection
Local government corruption
Water supply and sewage service
Urban planning and development
Infrastructure
Unemployment/The local economy
First mention
Second mention
19%
29%
27%
18%
11%
11%
11%
9%
8%
7%
6%
6%
5%
4%
2%
7%
What are the most serious problems facing your municipality today?
9
2%
10
Which has more of an impact on your quality of life?
59%23%
18% National government
Local government
Don't know/Refused to answer
11
30%
24%
26%
13%
7%National government
Local government
Both
Neither
Don't know/Refused to answer
Which level of government is more responsive to citizen concerns?
12
Would you vote for a candidate from another ethnic community for mayor (e.g. Albanian, Macedonian, Serb, Roma, Turk, Vlach)
if you thought s/he would better represent you?
43%
48%
9%
Yes
No
Don't know/Refused to answer
13
To what extent would local policy-focused televised candidate debates be useful in informing your decision for whom to vote in the
upcoming local elections?
6%
12%
16%
12%
33%
21%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Don't know
I do not watch/I would not watch such debates
They would be useless
They would not be so useful
They would be somewhat useful
They would be very useful
Do you think the conditions are in place in the country to hold free and fair elections?
63%
59%
48%
62%
57%
30%
35%
45%
29%
33%
7%
6%
7%
8%
10%
October 2015
January 2016
April 2016
November 2016
March 2017
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 should not contain any ineligible or
duplicate voters. How confident are you in the accuracy of the voter list in Macedonia?
16
15%
19%
14%
26%
29%
35%
23%
22%
25%
26%
18%
15%
10%
10%
11%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
April2016
November2016
March2017
Very confident Somewhat confident Not that confident
Not confident at all Don’t know/Refused to answer
Do you believe that your vote on Election Day is secret?*
17
69%
39%
66%71%
62%66%
61% 61%
66%
23%
49%
27%
22%
31%
23%
28%26%
22%
8%
13%
7% 7% 7%11%
11% 13%
12%
Feb-14 May-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Nov-16 Mar-17
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Yes No Don't know/Refused to answer
* In May 2014 the question was phrased as follows: “Do you believe that even though casting your
vote on Election Day was secret, some political party knows for whom you voted?”
Who do you think violates the secrecy of your vote?
(Those who think that their vote on election day is not secret, n=244)
18
18%
1%
1%
0%
7%
15%
3%
17%
38%
11%
1%
0%
1%
11%
19%
7%
21%
28%
15%
0%
0%
1%
7%
13%
16%
18%
28%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Don't know/Refused to answer
DPA
SDSM
The police
DUI
The government
The State ElectionCommission
VMRO-DPMNE
Political parties (in general)
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
Have you, a relative or someone you know personally ever been subjected to pressure (such as force, threats, vote-buying or other
illegal actions) to vote in a particular way?*
19
19%
3%
70%
8%
19%
3%
54%
25%
14%
2%
64%
20%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
I personally know peoplewho were subjected to
pressure
I was personallysubjected to pressure
I was neither subjectedto pressure nor know
people who were
No answer/Refused to answer
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
* In April 2016, this question referred to previous election cycles. In November 2016 and March 2017 the question was asked using the “sealed envelope method.” See “Methodology” for details.
20
22%
16%
43%
19%19%
14%
54%
13%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Candidate Party list Both Don’t know
November 2016 March 2017
Would you prefer to vote for an individual candidate, a party list, or both?
21
42%
47%
11%
42%
49%
9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Yes No Don't know
November 2016 March 2017
Would you vote for a candidate from a different ethnic group/community (e.g. Albanian, Macedonian, Serb, Roma, Turk, Vlach) if you think s/he will better represent you in Parliament?
22
How likely are you to vote in the upcoming local elections?
6%
4%
3%
5%
21%
61%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Don't know/Refused to answer
Would not vote
Very unlikely
Somewhat unlikely
Somewhat likely
Very likely
23
Which party would you vote for if municipal elections were held today?
17%
5%
5%
4%
4%
1%
1%
2%
2%
7%
8%
16%
28%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
No answer/Refused to answer
Undecided/Don't know
None/Intend to spoil ballot
I would not vote
Other
LDP
GROM
DPA
MR-DPA
Movement BESA
DUI
SDSM
VMRO-DPMNE
GROM
24
How important were each of the following in determining the party/coalition for which you voted in the December 2016
parliamentary elections?
24%
27%
29%
42%
40%
40%
48%
28%
39%
39%
38%
40%
41%
36%
16%
17%
16%
10%
8%
7%
6%
12%
5%
6%
2%
3%
1%
2%
To change thegovernment/The governing
parties
My family supports thatparty
The party leader
Economic benefits/Incentives for me or my
family
Its election program/Proposed policies
The values and the stancesof the party
It protects my ethnicidentity
Very important Important Not important Not important at all
If parliamentary elections were held today, how likely would you be to vote?
25
39%
19%
9%11% 10%
12%
62%
22%
4% 4% 4% 5%
59%
18%
7%3%
6% 7%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhatunlikely
Very unlikely Would not vote Don't know/Refused to
answer
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
If parliamentary elections were held today, how likely would you be to vote?
(Disaggregated by age)
26
52%
59%
67%
20%
18%
17%
11%
6%
4%
5%
3%
1%
6%
7%
4%
6%
8%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
18-34 Years old
35-54 Years old
55+ Years old
Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely
Very unlikely Would not vote Don't know/Refused to answer
For which party would you vote if parliamentary elections were held today?*
27
23%
4%
0%
9%
6%
3%
1%
4%
6%
18%
27%
22%
5%
0%
7%
0%
3%
3%
6%
7%
18%
26%
20%
5%
4%
6%
4%
2%
2%
7%
7%
17%
27%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
No answer/Refused to answer
Undecided/Don't know
Would not vote
None/Intend to spoil ballot
Other
DPA
MR-DPA(Alliance for Albanians)**
Movement BESA
DUI
SDSM
VMRO-DPMNE
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
*Question asked using the “sealed envelope method.” See “Methodology” for more detail. ** In the November 2016 poll, MR-DPA was listed as Alliance for Albanians, as the party led a coalition under this name for the December 2016 elections.
4%
5%
1%
1%
1%
3%
3%
3%
3%
5%
8%
8%
14%
17%
24%
5%
7%
2%
3%
2%
2%
1%
3%
3%
9%
6%
7%
18%
12%
14%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Don’t Know
Other
Education
EU Integration
Stabilization of interethnic relations
Peace and stability
Preserving the unity of the country and rejecting theAlbanian platform
Youth policies
Albanian rights
Decreasing poverty
Curbing corruption/Rule of law/EU “Priebe” reform priorities*
Higher wages and pensions/Lower prices and taxes
Growing the economy
Ending the political crisis
Creating new jobs
First priority Second priority
15%
14%
14%
6%
6%
4%
5%
3%
4%
3%
12%
9%
*The EU “Priebe” reforms are a set of reforms for
Macedonia recommended in a European
Commission report prepared by Reinhard Priebe
What should the new government’s top two priorities be for the first two months?(Open-ended)
29
38%
29%
32%
In your opinion, what are the two most serious problems facing Macedonia today?
(Open-ended)
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
2%
2%
2%
2%
3%
3%
5%
8%
10%
21%
32%
2%
3%
3%
2%
2%
4%
6%
2%
3%
3%
2%
10%
13%
16%
13%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
High prices
Emigration/Emigration of youth
Corruption
Law and order/Rule of law
Problems with the opposition
Name issue*
Crime
Low or non-payment of salary or pension
Poor performance of the current government
Security crisis/Peace/Stability/War/Terrorism
Interethnic relations/Conflict
Endangerment of national unity due to the Albanian platform
Economic crisis
Poverty/Low standard of living/Problems of common people
Unemployment
Current political situation/The political crisis
First mention
Second mention
30*There is an ongoing diplomatic dispute over the official name of Macedonia.
45%
37%
23%
18%
7%
6%
6%
4%
8%
6%
4%
1%
3%
4%
4%
3%
Overall, is Macedonia moving in the right or wrong direction?
31
38%34%
32%
25%24%
26%
29%31%
23%
19%22%
27%
31%
39%
36%
29%
23%24%
28%
20%
26%
14%
28%31%
33%
36% 38%
40%
29% 32%
45% 43%
48%
44%41%
33%
39% 39%
48% 48%46%
58%
48%
56%
32% 33% 33%
38%
36%
32%
40%
35%31%
36%
30%
27%
26% 27%24%
31%
28%26%
24%
21%
24%
28%
2% 3% 2% 1%3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1%
2% 2% 2% 1% 2% 1%2% 3% 2% 3% 2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Right direction Wrong direction Neutral Don't know/Refused to answer
How would you describe the current internal political situation in Macedonia?
32
23%
44%
53%54%
51%
56%
44%
28%
48%
42%
40% 39%
44%
39%42%
15%
29%
19%
5%
21%
5%
61%
43%36% 36%
38%35%
43%
55%
41% 43%
45% 45%
41%
46%43%
61%
51%
59%
55%
57%
62%
13%
10%8%
7% 7% 6%10%
15%
9%13% 13% 12%
9%12%
12%
23%
16% 19%
38%
17%
32%
3% 3% 4% 3% 4%
3%
3% 2% 2% 3% 3%4%
6%
4% 4% 2%4%
3% 2%5%
2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Peaceful and stable Intense and uncertainCritical and unstable Don't know/Refused to answer
Is the Republic of Macedonia more or less stable today than it was one year ago?
33
26%
33%30%
24%21% 22%
27%25%
14%
19%
18%21%
23% 22%
18%
16%
5%
18%15%
5%13%
4%
25%
17%23%
24%
17% 19% 18%20%
43%26%
29%28%
33%
27%31%
31%
58%
42% 47%
67%
40%
70%
46% 47% 46%
51%
60%58%
54% 54%
42%
54%53%
50%
43%45%
47%51%
35%
38%35%
25%
44%
25%
2% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3%5% 4% 2%
2%3% 3% 3%
2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
More Less Same Don't know/Refused to answer
34
Should there be early parliamentary elections?
44%
41%
15%
Yes
No
Don't know
To what extent do you support or not support President Ivanov’s decision to withhold the mandate to form a
government from SDSM president Zoran Zaev?*
35
34% 11% 7% 36% 12%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
I completely support it I somewhat support it
I somewhat do not support it I completely do not support it
Don't know/Refused to answer
*President Ivanov has refused to grant a mandate to form a government to the SDSM-
led coalition despite the fact that SDSM has a parliamentary majority.
36
Should the president give the mandate to form a government to the leader of the party that has the support of a majority of
parliamentarians?
50%
22%
12%
5%
10%
Yes, he should
No, he shouldn’t
It depends on the consequencesfor the country
It depends who the leader is
Don't know/Refused to answer
To what degree do you trust the following based on their actions during the last 12 months?
37
15% 16%21% 21% 22% 23% 25% 28% 29%
36% 38% 39%42%
55%
45%52%
35%
49% 48%
39%45%
48%
36%
44%39%
29%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
StateCommission
forPreventingCorruption
Politicalparties
Courts Media PublicProsecution
Office
TheAssembly
StateElection
Commission
Municipalgovernment
Nationalgovernment
Thehealthcare
system
ThePresident
SpecialPublic
Prosecutor
Theeducation
system
I trust them/I trust them fully I have no trust/I have no trust at all
Do you support the work of the Special Public Prosecutor for the resolution of the wiretapping scandal?
38
63%
26%
12%
51%
36%
13%
53%
37%
9%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
I completely/Somewhatsupport it
I completely/Somewhatdo not support it
Don’t know/Refused to answer
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
The rule of law in a democracy can be understood as “a state where all people and institutions are accountable to the law and the Constitution, and
the Constitution and the law are equally applied to all.”
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
“The rule of law exists in Macedonia.”
39
46%
37%
48%
57%
6% 6%
November 2016 March 2017
Completely/Somewhat agree Completely/Somewhat disagree Don't know
In your opinion, how important is the work of the Special Public Prosecutor in ensuring the rule of law in Macedonia?
40
31%
27%
12%
20%
10%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Very important Somewhat important Somewhat unimportant Not important at all Don't know
42
Which of the following are the two most important priorities for improving the status of ethnic Albanians in
Macedonia?*(ethnic Albanians only, n=280)
*Aggregated two responses.
2%
12%
14%
19%
28%
28%
33%
34%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Don't know
Efficient institutions with equal treatment of ethnicAlbanians without ethnic and partisan influence
Non-partisan judiciary which treats all ethnicitiesequally and fights corruption
Proportional representation for ethnic Albanianemployees in state and public institutions
Wider official use of the Albanian language
Creating jobs/Increasing employment of ethnicAlbanians
Integration with EU and NATO
Increasing the standard of living/Decreasing povertyof ethnic Albanians
How satisfied are you with the current level of utilization of the Albanian language in communication with institutions at the
national and local level? (ethnic Albanians only, n=280)
43
2%
19%
28%
49%
2%
National level
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied Don't know
How satisfied are you with the current level of utilization of the Albanian language in communication with institutions at the national
and local level?(ethnic Albanians only, n=280)
44
3%
36%
28%
29%
4%
Local level
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied Don't know
45
When it comes to the utilization of the Albanian language in Macedonia, would you say
“The utilization of the Albanian language by state and local institutions is…”:
12%
18%
18%
52%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Don't know/Refused to answer
Should be official throughout the entireterritory of Macedonia
Not adequate and should be widened,but not necessarily made officialthroughout the entire territory of
Macedonia
Adequate
46
What languages do you speak at a level to be able to study and work in that language?
1%
2%
2%
5%
12%
16%
28%
80%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
Roma
German
Turkish
English
Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian
Albanian
Macedonian
(Multiple responses possible)
47
Thinking about the status of Albanians as the second largest ethnic community in Macedonia, which of the following is closest to your opinion?
“As the second largest ethnic community in Macedonia, ethnic Albanians…”
11%
19%
9%
61%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Don't know/Refused to answer
Do not have all the rights to which theyare entitled to under the Constitution,
in law or in practice
Have all the rights to which they areentitled to under the Constitution, in
law but not in practice
Have all the rights to which they areentitled to under the Constitution, in
law and in practice
48
In your opinion, is the joint platform of Albanian political parties in Macedonia…?
15%
6%
21%
27%
32%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Don't know
I have not heard of such a platform
Negative for both the rights of ethnicAlbanians and interethnic relations
Positive for the rights of ethnicAlbanians, but negative for interethnic
relations
Positive for both the rights of ethnicAlbanians and interethnic relations
In your opinion, has unemployment increased or decreased over the last year?
50
54%50%
53%
61%
71%76%
75% 72% 71%74% 75%
71%67%
52%
44%46%
55%
50%46%
49%
44% 46%44%
38% 37%34%
29%
23%
17% 19%21% 21% 19% 19%
24%27%
39%
43% 42%
35%
39%
45%41%41%
34%
39%
8%
13% 13%10%
6% 7% 7% 7% 8% 7% 5% 6% 7%9%
13% 12%10% 11% 9% 10%
7% 9%6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Increased a lot/Increased some Decreased a lot/Decreased some
Don't know/Refused to answer
In the next two years, will the economy in Macedonia get better, get worse, or stay the same?
51
33%
29%
31% 30%31%
34%
29%
23%
28%25% 25% 26%
21%23%
19% 20%
26%
21%
24%
21%
29%
30%
29%30%
37%
30%32%
36%
34% 34%
40%40%
44% 43% 43%
33%
32%
36%
33%
31%
37%35% 35%
28%30%
35%37%
33%35% 29% 29% 29% 29%
33%
32%
35%
27% 31%
7%
4% 5% 5%4% 5%
4% 4% 4%6%
5%6% 7%
5%
9% 9%10% 11%
13%15%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Better Same Worse Don't know/Refused to answer
43%
How would you place your views on this scale (where “1” = complete support for more foreign investment and “7” = complete support for more
domestic investment; 2 – 6 = views that lie in between).
“In order to grow the economy, the Government of Macedonia should…”
52
21% 22%
16%
24%
18%
24%
51%54%
56%
4% 5%3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
Support more foreign investments and companies (1 to 3)
In between (4)
Support more domestic investments and companies (5 to 7)
Don't know
53
To what extent is membership in a political party necessary for getting a job in the state
administration/sector or government institutions in Macedonia today?
49%
22%
8%11% 10%
51%
26%
8%5%
10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Completelynecessary
Somewhatnecessary
Somewhatunnecessary
Completelyunnecessary
Don't know
November 2016 March 2017
54
Do you know someone personally who has received a state job because they are members of, or are close to,
a political party?
57%
27%
11%
6%
59%
27%
11%
4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Yes No, I don’t know of anyone like that
I don’t know if the people I know have
received a job like that
Refused to answer
November 2016 March 2017
To what extent is membership in a political party necessary for getting a job in the private sector in
Macedonia today?
55
8%
22%
25%
34%
11%Completely necessary
Somewhat necessary
Somewhat unnecessary
Completely unnecessary
Don't know
Do you personally know someone who has received a job in the private sector because they are members of,
or are close to, a political party?
56
24%
60%
13%
3%
Yes
No, I don’t know of anyone like that
I don’t know if the people I know have received a job like that
Refused to answer
Do you think it is better to work in the private sector or in the public sector/state administration?
57
4%
2%
9%
7%
10%
21%
46%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Don't know
Neither
Does not matter
Definitely in the private sector
Probably in the private sector
Probably in the public sector
Definitely in the public sector
Is there any member of your household who has emigrated to live and/or work abroad?
58
7%
9%
12%
70%
1%Yes, in the last year
Yes, in the last three years
Yes, over three years ago
No
Refused to answer
Speaking personally, is your overall quality of life…?
59
22%20%19%
15%13%
16% 16%14%
17%
13%15%
13%
17%15%
13% 12%11%
14%
18%
13% 13%
9%
54%
53%
48%50% 49% 48%
50%48%
45%47% 47% 48%
51%53%
47%
53%52%
50%
45% 44%
50%52%
24%26%
32%35%
37% 36%33%
37% 38%40%
37%39%
31% 32%
38%
34%37% 36% 37%
42%
37%
38%
0% 1% <1% 0% 1% 0% <1% 0% <1% 0% 1% <1% 1% 0% 1% <1% 0% <1% 1% 1% 0% 0%0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Getting better Staying the same Getting worse Don't know/Refused to answer
How is your family’s economic situation compared with one year ago?
60
18%20% 21%
16%
12%14%
16%
13% 13%11%
14% 13% 14%15% 16%
14% 13% 14%
20%
15% 16%
11%
32%32%
35%
42%
44% 43%
41%42%
45%46%
42%44%34%
32%30%
32%
35%33%
35% 35%33% 34%
50%
48%
44%
42%
44% 43% 44% 45%
43% 43%
44% 43%
51%53% 54% 54%
51%52%
45%
50% 51%
54%
0% <1% <1% 0% 0% 0% <1% 0% 0% 0% <1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Much or somewhat better Much or somewhat worse
Same Don't know/Refused to answer
To which political party do you belong or would consider joining?*
62
23%
15%
6%
4% 3%1%
6%
2%
18%
24%24%
15%
8%
5%4%
2%
4%
0%
17%
22%24%
15%
7% 7%
2% 2%3%
2%
20%
18%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
VMRO-DPMNE
SDSM DUI MovementBESA
DPA MR-DPA Other Undecided Would notjoin
No answer/Refused to
answer
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
*Question asked using the “sealed envelope method.” See “Methodology” for more details.
Which party, in your opinion, is most active in your village/town/city?
63
15%
13%
1%
1%
1%
3%
2%
9%
11%
45%
16%
12%
4%
1%
2%
3%
4%
8%
11%
40%
16%
10%
3%
1%
2%
2%
6%
9%
11%
40%
Don't know/Refused to answer
None
Other
GROM
MR-DPA
DPA
Movement BESA
DUI
SDSM
VMRO-DPMNE
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
In your opinion, which party works hardest for your support?
64
14%
28%
3%
3%
1%
2%
6%
13%
30%
13%
24%
4%
3%
2%
5%
7%
14%
29%
13%
25%
3%
2%
2%
6%
7%
13%
29%
Don't know/Refused to answer
None
Other
DPA
MR-DPA
Movement BESA
DUI
SDSM
VMRO-DPMNE
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
37% 35%
11%8%
14% 15%12%
8%
-52% -54%
-77% -77%
-62%-65%
-69%
-60%
-15%-19%
-66%-69%
-48%-50%
-59%
-52%
VMRO-DPMNE SDSM DUI DPA DOM MovementBESA
MR-DPA(Alliance forAlbanians)
NDR
■ Very/Somewhat unfavorable
65
I will read you a list of political parties in Macedonia. Please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable,
or very unfavorable opinion of that party.
■ Very/Somewhat favorable
37%34%
37%42%
33%
48%
32%
44%
-50%-55% -53%
-50%-54%
-45%
-53%
-45%
-13%
-21%-16%
-9%
-22%
4%
-21%
-1%
TheGovernment
Theopposition
Former PMNikola
Gruevski
PresidentGjorge Ivanov
TheParliament
The media The Presidentof the
Parliament
The SpecialProsecutor
■ Very/Somewhat unfavorable
66
I will read you a list of institutions in Macedonia. Please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or
very unfavorable opinion of that institution.
■ Very/Somewhat favorable
67
When you think about people in political life, who is the one person in Macedonia that you view most favorably?
38%
2%
2%
3%
4%
2%
9%
21%
37%
3%
2%
4%
6%
3%
9%
19%
32%
1%
3%
5%
5%
9%
10%
16%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
None
Menduh Thaci
Ziadin Sela
Bilall Kasami
Ali Ahmeti
Gjorge Ivanov
Zoran Zaev
Nikola Gruevski
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
(Open-ended)
41%37% 36%
12% 14%
7%
14%
44%
-51%-54% -53%
-76%
-61%-78%
-53%
-44%
-10%
-17% -17%
-64%
-47%
-71%
-39%
0%
Gjorge Ivanov
NikolaGruevski
ZoranZaev
AliAhmeti
LiljanaPopovska
MenduhThaci
BillalKasami
KaticaJaneva
68
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 say so.
■ Very/Somewhat unfavorable■ Very/Somewhat favorable
Do you support Macedonia becoming a member of the EU?
70
96% 94% 93% 92% 95% 93% 96% 94% 92% 90%87%
84%
76%72% 72%
76%80%
72% 72% 71%76%
72%
3% 4% 5% 7%4% 6% 4% 6% 7% 9% 9%
12%
19% 20%23%
20%
14%
22% 22% 23%19%
21%
1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%4% 4% 6%
8%5% 4%
6% 6% 6% 7% 5% 6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes No Don't know/Refused to answer
Do you think Macedonia is closer to EU entry today, or was it closer when it first received its EU candidate
member status?
71
32%
39%
32%28%
21%25% 24%
18%
24%
13%
45%
34%
43% 44%
51% 50% 50%
56%
47%
59%
23%27%
25%28%
28%26% 26% 26%
29%
28%
Feb-14 May-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Jun-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Nov-16 Mar-17
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Closer today
When first received its EU candidate status
Don't know/Refused to answer
What is the reason for the slowdown in Macedonia’s EU integration?
72
3%
11%
17%
28%
41%
1%
8%
15%
29%
47%
2%
10%
16%
28%
44%
Other
Don't know/Refused to
answer
New conditionsset by the EU
Lack ofdomesticreforms
The name issue
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
Do you support Macedonia becoming a member of NATO?
73
92%90% 90% 89%
94% 92%94%
91%89% 89%
91%87%
85%
78% 77%
83% 83%
74%76%
73%77%
71%
5%8% 8% 9%
6% 7%5%
8%10% 10%
6%9%
11%
16% 15%13% 12%
19% 18%20%
18%21%
3%2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 3% 4% 4%6% 7%
4% 5%7% 7%
8%5%
8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes No Don't know/Refused to answer
74
46%52%
50%
53%53%52%
58%68%
65%
63%65%65%
73%71%
66%
73%76%
73%
37%36%
34%
35%37%37%
31%24%
26%
24%24%24%
18%18%
22%
18%16%
19%
17%12%
16%
13%10%11%
11%9%
10%
13%11%12%
9%10%
12%
9%8%8%
Apr-16Nov-16Mar-17
Apr-16Nov-16Mar-17
Apr-16Nov-16Mar-17
Apr-16Nov-16Mar-17
Apr-16Nov-16Mar-17
Apr-16Nov-16Mar-17
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Strongly/Somewhat agree Strongly/Somewhat disagree Don't know/Refused to answer
European
Union
Germany
America
Turkey
Russia
China
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements:
“Macedonia’s interests are best served by maintaining strong relations with…”
75
13%
5%
19%
1%
7%
11%
12%
10%
22%
11%
5%
19%
3%
5%
6%
16%
15%
19%
10%
4%
17%
3%
6%
11%
15%
17%
17%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Don't know
All of them
None of them
China
Germany
Russia
Turkey
United States of America
European Union
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
Which one of these countries helps Macedonia’s national interests the most?
What is your primary source of political news?(Multiple answers)
77
88%
7%
13%
30%
5%
37%
86%
5%
12%
32%
9%
32%
89%
3%
8%
27%
7%
35%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Television Radio Print media Family/Friends
Political parties Internet/Websites
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
Which television station do you watch most often for political news?
78
6%
2%
3%
5%
10%
13%
13%
21%
20%
8%
2%
3%
4%
11%
9%
13%
19%
23%
9%
3%
3%
3%
9%
12%
13%
17%
25%
Do not watch TV
TV Shenja
TV 21
MTV (Macedonian Language)
Telma
24 Vesti
Kanal 5
Alsat M
SITEL
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
Which daily newspaper do you read most often for political news?
79
67%
1%
2%
1%
3%
4%
7%
4%
7%
70%
2%
2%
1%
4%
3%
5%
3%
7%
76%
1%
1%
1%
2%
3%
4%
4%
5%
Do not read dailynewspapers
Vecer
Utrinski Vesnik
Nova Makedonija
Sloboden Pecat
Vest
Koha
Lajme
Dnevnik
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
Which weekly newspaper do you read most often for political news?
85%
1%
3%
5%
81%
1%
4%
5%
88%
1%
2%
3%
Do not read weekly newspapers
Kapital
Republika
Fokus
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
March 2017
November 2016
April 2016
80
Do the following TV stations favor a particular political party?
81
7%
4%
2%
1%
52%
51%
5%
5%
67%
69%
45%
41%
22%
32%
5%
8%
3%
4%
35%
38%
2%
2%
2%
22%
28%
1%
1%
3%
2%
25%
22%
17%
13%
12%
13%
20%
20%
6%
6%
15%
20%
42%
39%
48%
46%
33%
30%
38%
35%
25%
22%
36%
35%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Nov-16
Mar-17
Nov-16
Mar-17
Nov-16
Mar-17
Nov-16
Mar-17
Nov-16
Mar-17
Nov-16
Mar-17
VMRO-DPMNE SDSM DUI DPA Not in favor of any party Don't know
1%
MTV
Sitel
Telma
Kanal 5
Alsat M
24 Vesti
To what extent do you agree or disagree that the media in Macedonia are free and independent?
82
15% 18% 34% 23% 10%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
The media are free and independent
Most of the media are free and independent, but some are not
Some of the media are free and independent, but most are not
No media in Macedonia are free and independent
Don't know/Refused to answer
83
5%
16%
22%51%
7%Completely agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Completely disagree
Don't know/Refused to answer
To what degree do you agree or disagree with this statement: “I find it more difficult to be friends with someone who
disagrees with me on political issues.”
If you could have only one or the other, which is more important to you: a democratic system of government or a prosperous economy?
85
28%
33%
32%
33%
29%
13%
14%
15%
18%
18%
20%
21%
18%
20%
17%
32%
27%
27%
24%
30%
7%
6%
7%
3%
6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
October 2015
January 2016
April 2016
November 2016
March 2017
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/Refused to answer
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of
young people.”
86
60%
33%
7%
66%
28%
6%
65%
26%
8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Agree Disagree Don't know/Refused to answer
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
Do you think that free speech and free expression exists in Macedonia today?
87
48%49%
48% 48%
42%
45%
38%
44%46%
45%43%
48%
46% 47% 46%
43%
49%48%
55%
51%
48%51% 51%
47%
6%4%
6%9% 10%
7% 7%5% 6% 5%
7%5%
Dec-10 Nov-12 Feb-14 May-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Jun-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Nov-16 Mar-17
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Yes No Don't know/Refused to answer
88
11% 15%10% 10% 6%
11%16% 17%
89% 85%90% 90% 94%
89%84% 83%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Sep-10 Sep-11 Sep-12 Sep-13 Sep-14 Oct-16 Nov-16 Mar-17
Yes No
*Responses before 2014 are taken from previous surveys not conducted by IRI.
Have you engaged in activities to address a social or community
problem in the last 12 months (e.g. participated in a protest,
filed a complaint, initiated or supported an online petition)?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Politicians do not listen to the needs and ideas of
women.”
89
47%
39%
14%
51%
40%
9%
47%
41%
12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Agree Disagree Don't know/Refused to answer
April 2016 November 2016 March 2016
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?
90
9%
18%
72%
11%14%
73%
12%15%
72%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Man Woman Makes no difference to me
April 2016 November 2016 March 2017
Demographics
3%
2%
3%
3%
25%
64%
32%
36%
32%
50%
50%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Other
Serbian
Roma
Turkish
Albanian
Macedonian
55-65+
35-54
18-34
Male
FemaleETH
NIC
ITY
AG
EG
EN
DER
92
Demographics
19%
55%
22%
5%
27%
24%
23%
21%
5%
1%
24%
3%
10%
6%
11%
20%
18%
8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Higher Education/University
Secondary
Elementary
None/Incomplete elementary
Don't know/Refused to answer
27,001 Denars or more
18,001-27,000 Denars
9,001-18,000 Denars
0-9,000 Denars
Refused to answer
Blue collar worker
Agricultural worker
White collar worker
Professional
Housewife
Retired
Unemployed
Student
ED
UCATIO
NH
OU
SEH
OLD
IN
CO
ME
(MO
NTH
LY)
OCCU
PATIO
N
93
