Who do Georgians trust? Key figures from the NDI report

Distrust of the government is growing Georgia – a recent study published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and CRRC-Georgia shows that sixty percent of respondents negatively assess government activities.

The figure is up 12% from December last year, when government activity was negatively assessed by 48 percent. 

•Who is Salome Zurabishvili – the new president of Georgia

•Half of the population is not able to pay the “communal”. How do they live in Georgia?

Below we include the most important figures from the NDI study:

* Please note that field research work was carried out on July 13-29, 2019, and therefore does not reflect recent changes. 

Who’s popular in Georgia? 

Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze was the most popular among political leaders, earning a 45% approval rate. 

Worst ranking was newly-elected President Salome Zurabishvili, whose approval rating sits at just 12%. The majority – 40% of respondents – assess her activities as bad or very bad. 

At the time of the survey, Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze was recently appointed to this post. 35% of respondents said they do not know enough about him. 

The study does not include Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who was not at that time elected. 

His predecessor, Mamuka Bakhtadze, did not inspire strong feelings. At the time of his resignation, 34% called his work average. Only 12% rated his work positively and 28% negatively.

Georgians place their faith in the church 

As in past studies, Georgians place most of their faith in the church. The Orthodox Church earned a 64% approval rating, with only 5% disapproving of its activities. 

Among institutions, parliament takes the last place with an 8% approval rate – the lowest rating in seven years.

The House of Justice (public service hall) is not far behind. 57% of the population positively assesses the work of these institutions, (the main concept of which is combining hundreds of public services in one building huh?) is this up or down? 

53% of respondents positively assesses the activities of the Georgian army, which has held steady approval ratings over the years. 

Meanwhile trust in the police has decreased slightly, with 42% of respondents satisfied with their work, and 14% dissatisfied.

37% rated the work of the courts as bad and very bad, and only 10% said that the courts work well. The Office of the Public Defender fared slightly better, earning a 25% approval rate. 

Only 12% like the work of the prosecutor’s office, and 27% rate it negatively. 

Political parties

If elections were held tomorrow, the Georgian dream would be supported by only 20% of respondents. 

However, no other party fared better. The United National Movement would be supported by 9% respondents, and the pro-Russian Alliance of Patriots and European Georgia each by only 4%.

26% say they don’t know who they will vote for, and 19% would not vote for any party. The majority, 45% of respondents, say that none of the parties matches their views.

In response to the question, “if parliamentary elections were held tomorrow, would you take part in them?” 41% answered in the negative.

Out of those who responded in the affirmative, 57% did not decide who they would vote for.

At the time of the survey, the political movement of Mamuki Khazaradze had not yet formed.

June 20

43% of respondents hold the government responsible for the violence of June 20. 

The majority (68%) say the authorities used excessive force on protesters. Of this 68%, 71% believe that no one has been held accountable. 

Georgians were divided as to whether the Minister of Internal Affairs of Gakharia should resign, with 46% in favor of his resignation, and 39% disapproving.