POLLSTER CENTER SAYS REPUBLICANS AND PROSPEROUS ARMENIA ENJOY HIGHEST POPULARITY RATES
ARMENPRESS
Apr 18 2007
YEREVAN, APRIL 18, ARMENPRESS: Head of a public opinion survey center
in Yerevan has unveiled today the results of another public opinion
poll, that has found that the governing Republican Party and the
Prosperous Armenia of a millionaire businessman Gagik Tsarukian,
established only last year, enjoy the highest popularity rate and
are expected to win 30 percent of votes each in May 12 parliamentary
elections.
Aharon Adibekian, head of Sociometer pollster center, said to a news
conference that according to the results of the survey, the Orinats
Yerkir of ex-parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian is the third
most popular political party, followed by the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF), the Zharangutyun (Heritage) and the National Unity.
According to the poll, the five percent barrier will be overcome
also by the People’s Party of Armenia, the United Labor Party and
the Dashink (Alliance).
Adibekian said the survey embraced 1,500 Armenians in Yerevan and 29
urban settlements. It emerged also that one third of respondents had
no interest in political developments and news.
He said the sudden death of former prime minister Andranik Margarian,
who was chairman of the Republican Party, has added to its popularity
and now the share of Armenians who recognize this party is 20 percent
higher.
Mr. Adibekian, a frequent target of opposition’s criticism, who charge
that the findings of his surveys are paid by pro-government factions,
pointed out a glaring discrepancy, in terms of being recognizable,
between heads of political parties and the parties themselves.
He said also half of respondents believe that the May 12 elections
will be free and clean, which Adibekian said is an indication that
the army of Armenian voters ‘who will never sold their vote, no matter
what they are offered in return" is growing.
Adibekian also said two thirds of Yerevan residents in Kentron (Center)
district did not open their apartment doors to answer his employees’
questions.