Moldovans live worse and are nostalgic for USSR, poll

Most of the Moldovans consider that their financial situation hasn’t improved in the recent period and they lived better in the USSR, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Institute of Humanitarian Development of Russia. The survey was commissioned by the Chisinau publication Panorama, Info-Prim Neo reports. The first question of the poll was “Do things in Moldova go in the right or wrong direction?”. Almost 2/3 of the respondents said Moldova follows an incorrect path. Each sixth respondent believes that things go well in Moldova and almost the same percentage did not know what to answer. Most of the Moldovans are nostalgic for the Soviet period. Thus, 58% of those polled said that period was good for Moldova and only 13% believe that it was a dark period for the Moldovan people. As to President Nicolae Timofti, who was voted in on March 16, 42% of those surveyed said they do not agree with this choice, while 39% said the elections were illegal. 78% of the respondents said the election of the head of state influenced their lives in no way. Answering the question “Which is the state or international partner that brings Moldova more benefits?”, 59% of those questioned said Russia, 22% – the EU, 4% – Romania, while by 1% – the U.S. and Ukraine. 48% of the Moldovans are in favor of Moldova’s integration into the EU, while 39% are against this initiative. The number of those who would like Moldova to join the Russia-Belarus –Kazakhstan Customs Union rose to 67%, while those who are against total less than 20%. If choosing between the EU and the Customs Union, 54% of the respondents would select the second, while 30% – the EU. 16% did not know what to answer. As regards Romania’s policy towards Moldova, the opinions divided. 16% said it is hostile, 28% said it was rather hostile, while 8% consider it is friendly. The rest of the respondents avoided giving an answer. Russia’s policy is considered friendly by 52% of the Moldovans, and hostile by 16%. Asked whom of the politicians they trust most, 28.5% of those surveyed said they trust no one, 22% trust Vladimir Voronin, 10.7% – Vlad Filat, 5.9% – Marian Lupu, while 4.9% – Mihai Ghimpu. Two of three respondents have complete or partial confidence in the Communist Party, which is followed by the Liberal Democratic Party, the Democratic Party, and the Liberal Party. If legislative elections were held this Sunday, 36% would vote for the PCRM, 15.3% for the PLDM, 8.4% for the PDM, while 7.8% for the PL. 14% said they would vote for no one. The PCRM would poll more than half of the votes of those who expressed their opinions and would thus have a simple majority in Parliament. But they would be unable to elect the head of state by themselves. The poll was carried out between May 11 and 21. It covered a sample of 1,590 persons older than 18 from the northern, central and southern regions of Moldova, from three municipalities, 18 towns and district centers, and 48 villages.