IRI poll: "Armenia is moving in the right direction"

Armenian citizens are satisfied with the country’s trajectory of development, IRI polls show

Security issues, strengthening the army – in the opinion of the residents of Armenia, the solution of these issues should be a priority for the government. These are the results of the latest opinion poll conducted by the BREAVIS research company.

The telephone interviews were attended by 1,504 respondents over 18 years old from all regions of the country, selected at random. The survey was conducted at the initiative of the Research Center of the International Republican Institute (IRI).

• Op-ed: does Armenian parliament have any real power?
• Echo of the second Karabakh war: why Baku got the opportunity to blockade the south of Armenia

Mood in society

41% of the respondents think that “Armenia is moving in the right direction” a statement that 34% disagree with. According to a poll conducted in May 2021, there were fewer of those who disagree with the government’s course – only 20%.

With regard to the general atmosphere and the mood prevailing in society, 29% of respondents said they feel insecure, worried, and afraid of the future. 17% said they were completely disappointed and did not believe there could be any positive change to the current situation.

Compared to January 2021, the number of those who are disappointed has decreased by 7% while the number of those who feel insecure and fearful about the future has increased by 4%.

Majority is satisfied with election results

As for the early parliamentary elections of June 2021 that were held to overcome the political crisis that hit the country after the defeat in the Karabakh war in the fall of 2020. Politicians and many political analysts believe that the elections failed to solve the political crisis in Armenia.

Meanwhile, 63% of the respondents said that they are satisfied with the election results and 29% percent are not satisfied. 8% found it difficult to answer or refused to respond at all.

77% of the respondents took part in the elections. Of these, only 37% took into account the goals, programs, or promises of a particular political force when casting a vote.

20% voted in favor of the party whose leader they sympathize with, 19% took into account the past activities and achievements of the political bloc running in the elections. 12% made a choice in favor of the “democratic development of Armenia”, 11% did not want the “former” government to return to power.

28% didn’t participate in the elections because they “didn’t have time” for it.

21% of respondents admitted that they did not want to see any of the political forces participating in the elections in parliament. 11% did not believe that the elections would lead to any changes.

Government and Parliament priorities

56% of respondents believe that the priority for the government should be the solution of security issues, as well as strengthening the army and its combat capability.

People also expect the government to improve social conditions and create new jobs.

The respondents expect the new National Assembly to pay due attention to the legislation in the military sphere and the judicial system. At the same time, 12% of respondents consider the laws related to the judicial system as a priority, 11% prioritize the military sphere.

Only a small part of the respondents (3-7%) noted the importance of legislative reforms in education, economics, and medicine.