IRI Moldova Poll: Moldovans Wary of Russia; Blame Yanukovych for Ukraine Crisis

Washington, DC – A new Moldova national poll, released today by IRI, found that while expressing growing optimism about the state of democracy and the future of the country, Moldovans remain concerned about the economy and wary of the situation in Ukraine. 

Growing Support for Democracy

Since 2012, when the pro-European parties in Parliament were able to form a working coalition and elect a president, satisfaction in the way democracy is developing on Moldova has increased.  Forty-five percent of respondents expressed some level of satisfaction with the development of democracy, the highest percentage since March 2004. 

In addition, during the same two-year time period, the number of Moldovans who think the country is headed in wrong direction has dropped 23 points from a high of 74 percent, a significant success for Moldova’s ruling pro-European coalition.

In another indicator that Moldovans feel good about democracy in their country, 77 percent of respondents said they would definitely vote in the parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 30, 2014. 

Moldovans Blame Russia, Yanukovych for Ukraine Crisis

In a rebuke of Russia’s actions in the region, a majority of respondents hold Russia and the regime of President Viktor Yanukovych responsible for the crisis in Ukraine.  When asked who they believed was responsible for the current crisis in Ukraine, 26 percent said the Yanukovych regime and 28 percent said Russia.  Only nine percent believed the new Ukrainian government was responsible and only eight percent believed the European Union was responsible.

“It is encouraging to see that Moldovans remain more committed than ever to their democratic future,” commented Ambassador Mark Green, IRI’s president.

Forty-six percent viewed Crimea joining Russia negatively, 29 percent viewed the illegal May 11 referendum on seceding from Ukraine negatively and 38 percent viewed the removal of Viktor Yanukovych positively.

With Russian troops occupying the Transnistria region of Moldova since the fall of the Soviet Union it is no surprise that Moldovans are concerned with Kremlin provocations in Ukraine and that the crisis there is a sensitive topic.  Respondents were cautious about expressing their opinions, with higher than usual neutral or non-responses given on questions regarding Ukraine.

“It is interesting to note that since the days of the Maidan, Moldovans are more reluctant to express their views on Ukraine,” said Green.

Moldovans Are Concerned about the Economy and Corruption

Bread and butter issues continue to be the top concerns for Moldovans.  When asked to name the most important three problems facing Moldova, 43 percent said unemployment, 37 percent said low income and a combined 22 percent said inflation, poverty or the economic situation.  When considering their own households, 48 percent said financial income and low income, 12 percent said unemployment and a combined 10 percent said inflation, cost of utilities or poverty.

Corruption continues to plague Moldova, as it does many former Soviet republics.  Twenty-five percent said it was an important problem facing the country and an overwhelming 95 percent said it as a very big or big issue for Moldova.  

Methodology

The survey was conducted in all regions (excluding Transnistria) of Moldova from June 7-27, 2014, with a randomly selected sample of 1,200 prominent residents of Moldova older than the age of 18 and eligible to vote.  The margin of error does not exceed plus or minus 2.8 percent and the response rate was 54 percent.

The survey was conducted by Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization, with field work carried out by Magenta Consulting.