Citizens increasingly anxious over the economy, the pandemic, and recent political crisis, says IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, April 6
The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research has released the result of the first nationwide poll conducted in Georgia after the 2020 Parliamentary elections. The survey focuses on public opinion concerning the economy, the government’s response to COVID-19, and the ongoing political crisis.
As the poll revealed, 76% of Georgian citizens think that in the past year, the economic situation has worsened either 'somewhat' (37%) or 'a lot' (39%). Only one percent describes the economic situation in their household as 'very good' and 26% as 'somewhat good', while 71 % describe it as either 'somewhat bad' or 'very bad'.
The poll shows that the Georgian people consider unemployment as the major economic problem of the country. The cost of living and high prices are also regarded as one of the biggest challenges.
59% of the respondents said they are either 'somewhat' (44 percent) or 'very' (15 percent) satisfied with the government’s overall response, which, as IRI reports, is a 20-point decrease since the June 2020 survey. Concerning the government’s response to addressing the economic consequences of Covid-19, 45%, as opposed to 56% in the June 2020 poll, are satisfied with the government’s efforts.
Speaking of the 2020 parliamentary elections, the majority (53%) said the elections were free, fair, and transparent, while 35% said they were either 'somewhat not' or 'definitely not' free, fair, and transparent.
The survey shows that 60 percent of citizens do not support the opposition’s boycott.
According to the poll, the USA (69%) and the European Union (54%) are believed to be the most important partners for Georgia, while the vast majority (88%) think that Russia poses the most threat to the country.
“Over years of polling, Georgians have distinguished themselves by their consistent optimism…that now seems to be changing, with citizens increasingly anxious over the economy, the pandemic, and the country’s recent political crisis,” said IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix adding that Georgians want a functioning parliament reflecting their needs.
According to IRI, the survey was supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
