Survey of Macedonian Public Opinion

The survey collected data from 1,104 interviews, yielding an overall margin of error of plus or minus three percent at the midrange of the 95-percent confidence level. A nationally representative sample was based on a multistage stratification proportionate to population sample distribution, with a random selection of households and respondents. The response rate was 75 percent. The survey found that 23 percent of respondents described the current internal political situation in Macedonia as peaceful and stable, while 44 percent described it as intense and uncertain. In terms of stability, 21 percent of respondents believed that Macedonia was more stable today than it was one year ago, while 33 percent believed it was less stable. The majority of respondents, 38 percent, believed that Macedonia was moving in the wrong direction. The survey also identified the two most serious problems facing Macedonia today. The top two issues were the security crisis and peace, stability, war, and terrorism, mentioned by 44 percent of respondents, and law and order, rule of law, mentioned by 38 percent. In terms of the pardon decision made by President Ivanov, 53 percent of respondents did not support it, while 14 percent completely supported it. The majority of respondents, 70 percent, believed that the politicians who were pardoned should not be eligible to be candidates for MPs in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The survey also asked about the appointment of a special public prosecutor, Katica Janeva, to investigate cases connected to the wiretapped conversations. While 33 percent of respondents believed that Ms. Janeva would be able to investigate these cases independently and without obstruction, 44 percent believed that she would not. The survey was conducted with support from the United States Agency for International Development.