Opinion poll finds President’s popularity decreasing

An opinion poll found that Vladimir Voronin’s popularity is decreasing. The President of the Republic of Moldova is considered to be „the person of year 2006” by almost 13% of those who participated in the on-line poll “Moldova 2006 – Results of the Year”. The President has the lowest rating since 2001. During 2002-2005 Voronin was considered “person of the year” by 14%-17% of respondents. In 2006 the head of the state is followed by Speaker Marian Lupu (12,2%), artists Cleopatra and Pavel Stratan (4,5%), First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Grechianyi (4%), vice president of the Liberal Party Dorin Chirtoaca (about 3 %), etc. “The Event of the Year” is considered by over 13% of those interviewed to be the embargo of the Russian Federation on the wine and food production of the Republic of Moldova. Almost 8% of respondents consider as “The Event of the Year 2006” the Moldovan neighbourhood with EU as a consequence of Romania EU membership. “The Gas War”, unblock of the Russian embargo, worse relations with the Russian Federation are also nominated as important events of the past year. The on-line poll was conducted by the Independent Centre for Sociology and Information “Opinia” from 22nd of December to 19th of January, on a 1088-person sample. The margin of error constituted 3%.