November, 2007

Kliko k ëtu për Verzionin Shqip

Press Release Current Political Affairs in Kosova General Information on Kosova-wide Survey • Fieldwork conducted from 25-31 October 2007 • Sample: 1,003 respondents, Albanian and minorities (without Serbs) • Representative sample for the Kosova population aged 18+ years • 35-minute face-to-face interview, in home of respondent • Every fourth interview back-checked in the field • Margin of error = ±3.1% Most Important Problem in Kosova The undefined status of Kosova and unemployment continue to remain two main problems in Kosova. Currently, people of Kosova are almost equally concerned about these two problems. Support for the Declaration of Independence Less than half of respondents (41%) support the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosova even if the independence is not recognised neither from the US, nor from the EU, whereas a vast majority (84%) support the unilateral declaration if the independence is recognised only by the US and some EU countries. Priorities for Kosova after the resolution of status According to citizens of Kosova, priority issues for the Government of Kosova after the resolution of status is rule of law and energy. Healthcare and education system are considered a priority by every third citizen, whereas every fourth mentioned public health and safety of citizens and property. Trust in Institutions Apart from the case of presidents of municipalities that have marked a continuous fall in trust, there is more or less a similar level of trust or a small increase in trust for other institutions of Kosova. This raise is particularly marked for the Unity Team and the Assembly of Kosova. Approval of Leaders The level approval of leaders/personalities has also remained more or less the same. The Prime Minister and the President continue to enjoy higher approval rate compared to others. The increase of approval is slightly more noted in the case of Behgjet Pacolli and the leader of Vetëvendosje Albin Kurti. Voting Preferences The percentage of citizens of Kosova that are undecided about voting on November 17 elections continues to remain relatively high. Their decision on the day of elections may affect the change of current proportions among political parties. Voting Preferences for the Assembly of Kosova Currently, voting preferences have changed the positions of biggest parties in Kosova (LDK and PDK together with their coalitions). The falling trend of preference for LDK and the raising trend for PDK during this year is evident. On the other hand, the preference for AKR is almost doubled, becoming the third party, leaving AAK in the fourth place. General Information on the Survey in the Municipality of Prishtina • Fieldwork conducted from 25-31 October 2007 • Sample: 424 respondents, Albanian and minorities (without Serbs) • Representative sample for the population of Prishtina municipality, aged 18+ years • 10-minute face-to-face interview, in home of respondent • Every fourth interview back-checked in the field • Margin of error = ±4.8% Most Important Problems in Prishtina Main problems facing citizens of the municipality of Prishtina are unemployment, rebuilding the economy/infrastructure and power/KEK. Water supply and poverty are mentioned less. Priorities for the President of the Municipality of Prishtina According to Prishtina citizens, the main priority that should be addressed by the future President of the Municipality of Prishtina is employment of young people. Other very important priorities are infrastructure, power, roads and traffic, environment and urban planning. Support for the Current President and Candidates for President of Prishtina From the support of citizens and compared to current candidates for president of municipality, the current president of Prishtina is in the third place. Currently, Fatmir Limaj has the highest approval rate in Prishtina, followed by other candidates: Isa Mustafa, Ylber Hysa, Ibrahim Makolli, Shefki Gashi dhe Genc Meraku. Voting preferences for President of Municipality of Prishtina In the race for President of Municipality of Prishtina, Fatmir Limaj leads ahead of Isa Mustafa. Ibrahim Makolli from AKR is in the third place, followed by Shefki Gashi, Ylber Hysa and Genc Meraku. In the option “Other” the current president Ismet Beqiri takes around 4%. Having in mind the party link and the lack of Ismet Beqiri as a candidate, it is possible that this percentage on the day of elections will be oriented towards the candidate of the same party Isa Mustafa. Also, almost one third of Prishtina citizens are still undecided, which can affect the further change of balance between the candidates. Voting preferences for the Municipal Assembly of Prishtina Looks like the composition of the Municipal Assembly of Prishtina will be very mixed. None of the parties will have the absolute majority, but look like 80% of this assembly will be composed of three parties (LDK, PDK and AKR).