Majority of Stavropol residents give negative assessment of work of Stavropolsky Region's governor

Respondents’ assessment of the changes in the security sphere in North Ossetia proved to be even more negative. Thus, 49% consider that situation in this area “rather deteriorated” and 14% - “deteriorated” while 27% feel that security conditions did not change. Only 1% noticed improvements while 2% stated that security situation “rather improved”. 7% of respondents could not answer this question. Mostly critical assessment of changes in security situation is associated by the respondents with the return of Ingush population to Ossetia, which has started recently, as well as with increasing instability in the neighboring Ingushetia, which was characterized by some respondents as a “hotbed of terrorism” and totally uncontrolled territory.

This public opinion poll has been conducted in the framework of 12-month research project “Public Opinion in the North Caucasus”, which covers all North Caucasus republics. This project is financed by NED. Sample size was 400. Answers to all questions are indicated in percentages.

ABKHAZIA: 68% OF THOSE POLLED ARE IN FAVOR OF JOINING RUSSIA; ALMOST 25% SUPPORT THE IDEA OF INDEPENDENT STATE

ABKHAZIA, 1 September, Caucasus Times. Public opinion poll conducted by information agency Caucasus Times in the cities of Suhumi and Gagry in breakaway Republic of Abkhazia on 25 – 31 August this year among Abkhazian adult population was focused on a people of different professions and a wide range of occupations including students, employees, workers, pensioneers, entrepreneurs as well as unemployed people in the age category 20-65 years old. This research aimed to obtain information about the attitudes of the local population towards Abkhazia’s status and about their attitudes towards the activities of current Abkhazian leadership as well as local residents’ opinion about changes in social, economic and security situation in their republic.

Research data indicated that overwhelming majority of those polled (68%) consider that joining the Russian Federation would be the optimal solution of the question of Abkhazia’s status. Only 5% of respondents were in favor of preservation current status quo, arguing that possible change of current status of Abkhazia could result in unclear or unfavorable consequences. 3% of those polled, mostly unemployed people living in Abkhazia, found it hard to answer this question. It is worth of noting that nobody wanted to see Abkhazia as a part of Georgia. Moreover, the mere option of such a possibility included in the questionnaire evoked very negative reaction of a number of respondents. Some of them even erased this option from a survey questionnaire.

At the same time, 24% of respondents were quite certain about the possibility of existence of an independent Abhazian state speaking for independent Abkhazia. Majority of those who support the idea of an independent Abkhazia, are mostly young people in the age segment 20-35 years old and entrepreneurs running their businesses in tourism industry, trade, consumer service, and public catering. All of them are sure about the possibility of independent economic development of Abkhazia, specifically local tourism industry.

54% of respondents assessed the activities of the current Abkhazian leadership “rather positively” and 29% gave the republican leadership “positive” assessment. In particular, participants of the public opinion poll were positive about “active and resolute” stance taken by Abkhazian leaders in relations with the neighbouring Georgia as well as about their measures aimed at improving social and economic