THE MAJORITY of Greek Cypriots couldn’t be happier with how President Tassos Papadopoulos has handled matters since the rejection of the UN Secretary General’s plan in the April 24 referendum, according to an opinion poll conducted by RAI Consultants.
The results of the poll of 803 people interviewed between May 14–18 showed, that 23 per cent (184) of the public was extremely satisfied with Papadopoulos’ dealings on the Cyprus problem since the referendum and 337 (42 per cent) were pleased enough and had no complaints, believing he did what he thought was best for his country.
Just 15 per cent of the people said they were completely unsatisfied with the president’s methods and another 19 per cent said they were disappointed in Papadopoulos.
On being polled, participants were split into political parties. The President gained approval for his handling of procedures by supporters of his own political party with 43 per cent of DIKO members questioned being extremely satisfied and another 47 per cent expressing contentment with the island’s leader. Just two per cent were unhappy with their president and eight per cent said they were only slightly satisfied.
Among AKEL supporters questioned, the majority of the party members (45 per cent) were quite satisfied with the president, while 28 per cent said they were extremely pleased. Eight per cent said they were unhappy with how the president has behaved since the referendum and 16 per cent said they were only a little satisfied with his performance.
Two-thirds of KS-EDEK members questioned said they were content with Papadopoulos’ handling of the Cyprus problem recent months. Seventeen per cent of the Socialists questioned said they were unsatisfied and 15 per cent said they feel he has not met with their expectations.
DISY members seemed torn with just 12 per cent claiming to be very satisfied, 32 per cent quite satisfied and 25 per cent only slightly pleased. Thirty per cent of DISY members questioned expressed displeasure with Papadopoulos approach to the Cyprus problem.
The people most satisfied with their leader after the referendum were from Paphos. Just over a third of the south-western coastal town’s population was happy with the president’s handling of the Cyprus problem and Limassol residents came a close second with 25 per cent.
Nicosia recorded the least satisfied citizens with only 20 per cent saying they were pleased. In Larnaca 23 per cent of the population were satisfied and in Famagusta 24 per cent.
Respondents were also asked how well they thought the president carried out his general duties as a political leader. Women appeared to have more confidence in Papadopoulos with 38 per cent saying they were extremely pleased compared to 30 per cent of the men. 40 per cent of women were quite satisfied as were 36 per cent of men.
Twenty per cent of the women were dissatisfied with how the president carries out his duties compared to 34 per cent of men.
People between the ages of 41-50 were the least satisfied in their president’s execution of his duties while citizens over 60 appeared to have most faith in Papadopoulos.
The Ministers were also graded on their capabilities and how well they execute their duties in the government. People were asked to give their opinion on today’s government. Seventeen per cent of the population expressed their extreme satisfaction with the government compared to February 2004 when only 13 per cent were pleased. Almost half (49 per cent) of the people said they were quite content with the government.
The percentage of unsatisfied citizens has fallen since February with eight per cent expressing displeasure with the government’s running of the country. A quarter of people polled were only slightly satisfied.
Interior Minister Andreas Christou takes home the prize as the most competent and productive Minister with a 7.7/10 approval rating in this month’s poll. In February he gained 7.8 points but despite a slight drop he is still number one.
In second place is Minister of Trade and Industry George Lilikas, with a score of 7.3 out of 10. Defence Minister Koullis Mavronikolas has upped the scale since February where he only had 6.6 points and is now third in position with seven out of 10. Justice Minister Doros Theodorou is tied with Mavronikolas on seven points.
Kypros Chrysostomides is fifth on the ladder with 6.9 out of 10. He has improved with an increase of 0.1 points since February.
Finance Minister Makis Keravnos gained the same score as Chrysostomides with 6.9 points. Agriculture Minister Timis Efthimiou secured seventh place in the people’s hearts with 6.5 and has dropped since February where he had 6.7 points.
Foreign Minister George Iacovou is getting more popular and was given 6.3 compared to 6.1 in February.
Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades is second to last with 6.2/10. Last position and least favourite politician is Health Minister Dina Akkelidou with 5.6 out of 10. However it was an improvement from the last opinion poll in February where she was only given a 5.2 approval rating.
