AZG Armenian Daily #024, 08/02/2008

Presidential elections

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY
ACCORDING TO BRITISH SOCIOLOGISTS?

On February 6, British "Populus" sociological
organization presented the results of the survey
conducted in Armenia.

According to the organization’s Founder and Strategic
Director Andrew Cooper they conduct similar surveys by
request of many well-known British and international
news agencies and private companies.

The survey in Armenia was conducted by request of
Armenian Public TV/Radio company council. It’s not the
only survey in Armenia, it is foreseen to conduct
another survey and an Exit poll on Election Day.

The survey was conducted in January 21-29, in
different provinces of Armenia, by casual choice,
among about 1500 citizens. According to Mr. Cooper
this number is enough to get acquainted with public
mood.

The analysis of the survey results was made in London,
and the survey was conducted by Armenian Sociological
Association under British supervision.

Andrew Cooper mentioned that their organization has
high rating, and they have no interests in the
elections of Armenia.

53 percent of the questioned think that the
developments in Armenia keep right course. 47 percent
don’t share the opinion.

The Founder and Strategic Director of "Populus"
mentioned that there is a serious progress here
according to surveys conducted in April and October.

51 percent of the questioned are optimistic about the
country’s future, and 9 percent – pessimistic.

The percentage of the optimists among the youth is
higher – 61 percent.

The number of the people, who think that coming
elections will be fairer and freer increased by 5
percent (30 percent), 24 percent have opposite
opinion.

The strongest influence on the elections have TVs – 93
percent, 88 percent attach great importance to the
meetings with the candidates, 83 percent – discussions
with family members, 80 percent – the Press, and then
comes radio- 78 percent.

"Populis" is interested in following questions: "Who
will better solve unemployment problem in Armenia?" –
Serge Sarkisian – 43 percent, Arthur Baghdasarian – 28
percent, then come Vahan Hovhannisian, A. Geghamian,
Ter-Petrosian, etc.

To the question "Who will make the economy stronger?"
– Serge Sarkisian got 41 percent, A. Baghdasarian – 26
percent, etc.

In the settlement of Karabakh conflict the present
Prime Minister has got 54 percent, then comes Vahan
Hovhannisian – 14 percent, L. Ter-Petrosian – 13
percent, etc.

In Genocide recognition issue 40 percent rely on Serge
Sarkisian, 17 percent- Vahan Hovhannisian, 12 percent
– Arthur Baghdasarian and 11 percent – Levon
Ter-Petrosian.

In the question of national security the leader is
Serge Sarkisian (46 percent), then comes Arthur
Baghdasarian – 18 percent, Vahan Hovhannisian – 14
percent.

In the settlement of social and economic issues the
leader is again Serge Sarkisian.

In the struggle against corruption Serge Sarkisian has
the lowest rating – 28 percent, according to 19
percent Arthur Baghdasarian will struggle against that
disaster, Geghamian and Ter-Petrosian have 12 percent
each, and Vahan Hovhannisian – 11 percent.

Summarizing this part of the survey Andrew Cooper
mentioned that Serge Sarkisian holds the lead
unequivocally.

According to the survey, the ratings of the parties
(from 1 to 100 unit) are the following –

Republican Party – 56,89, "Prosperous Armenia" –
46,49, "Orinats Erkir" – 46, 33, ARF Dashnaktsutyun –
41, 74, "National Unity" – 34,04, ADP – 32,57,
People’s Party – 32,21.

56 percent of the questioned answered that they are
going to participate in the elections, 24 percent
mentioned of the probability of their participation in
the elections.

The results of the question "who will you vote for?"
is the following: Serge Sarkisian – 50,7 percent,
Arthur Baghdasarian – 13,4 percent, Levon
Ter-Petrosian – 12,6 percent, Vahan Hovhannisian – 7,6
percent, Artashes Geghamian – 6,4 percent, Tigran
Karapetian – 4,5 percent, Vazgen Manoukian – 3,2
percent. The rest of the candidates have got lower
percentage.

According to Populus the rating of the Prime Minister
increased by 8 percent compared with October.

Andrew Cooper concluded that the Armenian citizens are
optimistic in the future of Armenia and think that the
country has taken the right course, consequently, the
Strategic Director of the Populus will not be
surprised if Serge Sarkisian wins the presidential
elections with "good results", as he is more supported
than the other candidates taken together.

By Armen Manvelian, translated by L.H.