Majority of Bulgarians Support Snap Elections – Poll

Domestic | August 2, 2013, Friday // 10:54|  views

Bulgarians are divided politically, according to a recent poll. File photo

The majority of Bulgarians believe the Socialist-endorsed Cabinet of Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski, should resign ahead of its term, while 21% are of the opposite opinion.

The poll has been conducted by Gallup International under the form of flash phone interviews.

15% want immediate elections, 26% - elections by the end of 2013, and 30% - elections within the next 12 months.

However, the nation is polarized politically and the large majority of Bulgarians don't see a viable alternative to the two largest parties.

The left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, leads by a very narrow margin the opposition, formerly-ruling center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB, while the recently launched predominantly right-wing Reformist Block seems to be gaining ground and collects 6% support.

(The threshold to win parliamentary seats in Bulgaria is 4%.)

57% say they follow regularly the developments concerning the anti-government protests, which are now in their 50th day. Most watch TV, while the internet and social networks are second, and the radio and newspapers – a distant third.

43% believe media are unbiased in reporting the protests; 30% believe the opposite. Of them, 19% say media are biased and support the protesters, while 11% respond that media support the government.

68% say the demonstrators are acting normally; 22% see them as aggressive and breaching the law.

64% believe the police are acting normally; 24% accuse them of brutality.

The above opinions concern normal developments, while the ones regarding the night of July 23, when the only clashes between police and demonstrators occurred are very different.

65% condemn the actions of the protesters on that night; 53% - of the police.

32% approve of the actions of the police; 26% - of the citizens.

This could be explained by the conviction of the majority of Bulgarians that the clashes were the deed of provocateurs. 79% say such provocations must be punished by law.

Regarding Interior Minister, Tsvetlin Yovchev – 25% still do not know who he is and 23% are of no opinion. 28% approve of his actions and 24% disapprove.

Only 3% say they participate in the protests regularly and all live in Sofia. 10% attend sometimes, and 87% never take part. The majority of the active participants lean to right-wing ideas and get their information online.

35% say the protesters are paid to attend and the rallies serve certain political parties and leaders, while 39% find them spontaneous. 43% see them as a significant event, 41% are of the opposite opinion.

77% believe the protesters should not violate the rights of those who are not participating.

77% support the February protests against high utility bills that led to the resignation of the GERB Cabinet of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, compared to 47% for the current ones. 41% disprove of the latter; 31% approve of the protests in support of the Cabinet Oresharski.

The results, pollsters say, show the shortage of fast and easy solutions supported by a large majority.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!


Tags: poll, Plamen Oresharski, BSP, GERB, elections, Gallup International, Boyko Borisov, protests, protest, rally, rallies, Interior Minister, Tsvetlin Yovchev, protesters, Reformist Block, media

Back  

» Related Articles:

Search

Search