site.btaInfrastructure, Foreign Policy, and Economic Upsurge Sustain Trust in Government, Survey Shows

Sofia, September 26 (BTA) - The infrastructure, foreign policy, and economic upsurge sustain the public trust in the Government, while the lack of results in the fight against corruption, crime, and insecurity reduce it, shows an Alpha Research survey published on the agency's website Tuesday.

This edition of the regular survey on the public political opinion was conducted among 1,030 adults across Bulgaria through a standardized interview between September 13 and 20.

The survey shows that Bulgarians see as the Government's most successful policies infrastructure (51 per cent), foreign policy (43 per cent), tourism (42 per cent), and partially education (31 per cent).

The economic indices and active foreign policy form the core of the support for the third cabinet of Boyko Borissov, according to one-fifth of respondents. On the other hand, the scandals involving GERB politicians as well as the unconvincing actions in defence of the judicial system's independence and in the fight against corruption unite the Government's opponents, who increase in number to 38 per cent from 33 per cent.

In September, the positive opinions of the Government remain almost unchanged (21 per cent), but are accompanied by a more considerable increase in the share of those against it (38 per cent from 33 per cent). The Cabinet is backed firmly only by GERB's supporters (49 per cent), while among the supporters of the coalition partner United Patriots only 13 per cent voice approval of the Government's work, as opposed to 41 per cent expressing disapproval.

Just like at the start of the Government's mandate, the opinions about Prime Minister Borissov are 32 per cent positive and 39 per cent, negative.

Half of the ministers, mostly in charge of spheres rated as successful, have a positive index for their activity. In a second survey in a row, the minister with the highest approval index is Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev (16.4), followed by Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov (10.9) and Youth and Sports Minister Krassen Kralev (10.2). Next come ministers with lower but mostly positive ratings: Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council Liliyana Pavlova (5.1), Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva (4.5), Transport, IT and Communications Minister Ivaylo Moskovski (4.0), Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova (3.6), Regional Development and Public Works Minister Nikolai Nankov (1.7), Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov (0.3), and Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova (0.1).

At the bottom of the table with the lowest index are Environment and Water Minister Neno Dimov (-10.3), Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov (-10.5), and Justice Minister Tsetska Tsacheva (-16.8).

President Rumen Radev continues to enjoy the approval of the majority of Bulgarians (54 per cent approval against 13 per cent disapproval).

The approval for Parliament has declined to 12 per cent from 15 per cent and disapproval has risen to 44 per cent from 39 per cent. Parliament Chairman Dimiter Glavchev gets slightly higher approval than the entire legislature: 17 per cent (against 33 per cent disapproval).

Approval for the work of the police has dived to 22 per cent (against 38 per cent disapproval).