site.btaPresident Radev and PM Borissov Have Equal Approval Ratings - Alpha Research Poll
NW 16:55:31 11-05-2020
LN1706NW.114
114 POLITICS - PRESIDENT - PRIME MINISTER - APPROVAL - RATING
President Radev and PM Borissov
Have Equal Approval Ratings -
Alpha Research Poll
Sofia, May 11 (BTA) - President President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister have equal approval ratings, which happens for the first time since Radev took office in 2017, according to a nationally representative poll by Alpha Research. The poll was conducted among 1,000 adults by telephone between April 28 and May 5. Pollsters note the drop in the personal rating of President Rumen Radev: positive assessments for his actions have gone down 8 percentage points (from 48 percent in December to 40 percent in early May) while negative assessments went up from 15 to 25 per cent.
Although indirectly, the visible change in ratings around the coronavirus situation could have a significant impact on the upcoming parliamentary elections, as the opposition will not be able to rely so heavily on the strength of Radev, one of its few figures who can significantly influence public opinion, the analysts say. The figures show an increase in the overall rating of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, reaching a second peak since his first early years in office, with a 40 per cent positive approval rating (an increase of 10 percentage points from December) and a 31 per cent negative rating (a decrease of 8 percentage points from December).
Although it is early days to make long-term conclusions, it can be said that three significant public attitudes determine the dynamics in the ratings of Radev and Borissov, sociologists say.
Firstly, there is consolidation behind the attitude that there are things Bulgaria can do no worse than many other countries - which attitude analysts find quite unusual for the Bulgarian society. About 40 per cent are of the opinion that this country is doing better than most European countries in the fight against COVID-19, 38 per cent believe that in some areas Bulagria is doing better, in others worse. Only 14 per cent think that Bulgaria is doing worse overall.
Secondly, when it comes to public opinion, the outcome of the direct clashes between the Prime Minister and the President is in favor of the Prime Minister. A total of 34 per cent approve of Borissov's policy of strict measures to limit the spread of coronavirus in the initial phase of the pandemic, compared to 27 per cent who support Radev's position focused on the importance of an exit strategy.
Thirdly, the cross-section of public attitudes shows strong support both for the measures taken during this period and for the way in which people have benefited from them, notes Alpha Research. About 70 per cent approve the quarantine measures and report feeling more secure with them in place. 60 per cent approve of measures in education and especially the fast transition to online schooling. A total of 52 per cent support the social measures aimed at the most vulnerable and at-risk groups. Predominantly critical sentiments are present only towards the economic measures and they are seen as unclear.
The poll shows that 60 per cent of Bulgarians have a positive attitude to the work of a General Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, who heads the national coronavirus taskforce.
The two-month state of emergency has lead to a double negative result for the main opposition force, the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Its leader Cornelia Ninova lost 6 points of support and her rating dropped to 15 per cent. Compared to December, the party lost about a third of its potential voters (from 21.5 per cent to 12.2 per cent).
As the national emergency over the pandemic nears its end, GERB maintains its pre-crisis position almost unchanged (20.8 per cent).
The anticipated political formation of former entertainer and talk show host Slavi Trifonov remains in third place when it comes to public support. However, the real electoral position of this party, if it indeed goes into an election race, can vary quite a bit and this will most probably lead to shifts in the position of other political forces, say the analysts. NV/DT
//
LN1706NW.114
114 POLITICS - PRESIDENT - PRIME MINISTER - APPROVAL - RATING
President Radev and PM Borissov
Have Equal Approval Ratings -
Alpha Research Poll
Sofia, May 11 (BTA) - President President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister have equal approval ratings, which happens for the first time since Radev took office in 2017, according to a nationally representative poll by Alpha Research. The poll was conducted among 1,000 adults by telephone between April 28 and May 5. Pollsters note the drop in the personal rating of President Rumen Radev: positive assessments for his actions have gone down 8 percentage points (from 48 percent in December to 40 percent in early May) while negative assessments went up from 15 to 25 per cent.
Although indirectly, the visible change in ratings around the coronavirus situation could have a significant impact on the upcoming parliamentary elections, as the opposition will not be able to rely so heavily on the strength of Radev, one of its few figures who can significantly influence public opinion, the analysts say. The figures show an increase in the overall rating of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, reaching a second peak since his first early years in office, with a 40 per cent positive approval rating (an increase of 10 percentage points from December) and a 31 per cent negative rating (a decrease of 8 percentage points from December).
Although it is early days to make long-term conclusions, it can be said that three significant public attitudes determine the dynamics in the ratings of Radev and Borissov, sociologists say.
Firstly, there is consolidation behind the attitude that there are things Bulgaria can do no worse than many other countries - which attitude analysts find quite unusual for the Bulgarian society. About 40 per cent are of the opinion that this country is doing better than most European countries in the fight against COVID-19, 38 per cent believe that in some areas Bulagria is doing better, in others worse. Only 14 per cent think that Bulgaria is doing worse overall.
Secondly, when it comes to public opinion, the outcome of the direct clashes between the Prime Minister and the President is in favor of the Prime Minister. A total of 34 per cent approve of Borissov's policy of strict measures to limit the spread of coronavirus in the initial phase of the pandemic, compared to 27 per cent who support Radev's position focused on the importance of an exit strategy.
Thirdly, the cross-section of public attitudes shows strong support both for the measures taken during this period and for the way in which people have benefited from them, notes Alpha Research. About 70 per cent approve the quarantine measures and report feeling more secure with them in place. 60 per cent approve of measures in education and especially the fast transition to online schooling. A total of 52 per cent support the social measures aimed at the most vulnerable and at-risk groups. Predominantly critical sentiments are present only towards the economic measures and they are seen as unclear.
The poll shows that 60 per cent of Bulgarians have a positive attitude to the work of a General Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, who heads the national coronavirus taskforce.
The two-month state of emergency has lead to a double negative result for the main opposition force, the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Its leader Cornelia Ninova lost 6 points of support and her rating dropped to 15 per cent. Compared to December, the party lost about a third of its potential voters (from 21.5 per cent to 12.2 per cent).
As the national emergency over the pandemic nears its end, GERB maintains its pre-crisis position almost unchanged (20.8 per cent).
The anticipated political formation of former entertainer and talk show host Slavi Trifonov remains in third place when it comes to public support. However, the real electoral position of this party, if it indeed goes into an election race, can vary quite a bit and this will most probably lead to shifts in the position of other political forces, say the analysts. NV/DT
//
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