Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary, Week # 107

EAST EUROPE
Two-in-Five Russians Would Rely on Death Penalty
Many people in Russia think capital punishment should be fully re-instated and applied, according to a poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center. 44 per cent of respondents share this opinion.
February 19, 2010
Few Russians Regard Gorbachev in a Positive Light
Public perceptions on former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev have not changed dramatically in Russia over the past two years, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. Only 13 per cent of respondents hold a positive opinion of Gorbachev, while 34 per cent have negative views.
February 15, 2010

WEST EUROPE
French Socialists Ponder Options for 2012 Ballot
Current International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and current Socialist Party (PS) leader Martine Aubry are the most popular candidates for the PS presidential nomination ahead of France’s 2012 election, according to a poll by Ifop published in Le Journal du Dimanche. 27 per cent of PS supporters would like Aubry to be the candidate.
February 15, 2010
Tories Keep Double-Digit Lead in Britain
The opposition Conservative Party remains ahead of its rivals in Britain, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 40 per cent of respondents would support the Tories in this year’s general election, up two points in a week.
February 20, 2010
Britons Believe Most MPs Abused Allowances
A large proportion of people in Britain think most Members of Parliament have abused the existing system of allowances, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 50 per cent of respondents say most MPs have misused the expenses system for their own benefit.
February 16, 2010
A Third of Italians Say Immigrants Cause Crime
Some people in Italy believe foreign-born residents are the main cause of crime in the country, according to a poll by Ispo published in Corriere della Sera. 35 per cent of respondents share this view.
February 18, 2010
Opposition Popular Party Favoured by Spaniards
People in Spain are voicing support for the party currently in the Official Opposition in the next legislative election, according to a poll by Sigma Dos published in El Mundo. 43 per cent of respondents would vote for the Popular Party (PP) in the next ballot, essentially unchanged since December.
February 17, 2010

NORTH AMERICA
Americans OK with Obama Meeting Dalai Lama
The majority of people in the United States have no problem with Barack Obama convening with the Dalai Lama, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 64 per cent of respondents agree with the planned meeting between the U.S. president and the Buddhist spiritual leader.
February 16, 2010
Americans’ Rating of United Nations Improved, but Still Low
Thirty-one percent of Americans say the United Nations is doing a good job of solving the problems it has had to face, according to the Feb. 1-3 Gallup World Affairs poll. While still a negative review, the current U.N. rating is a significant improvement over last year's 26% and the best since 2005.
February 19, 2010
In U.S., Canada Places First in Image Contest; Iran Last
Americans' perceptions of 20 nations that figure prominently in the news or U.S. foreign policy held quite steady in the first year of the Obama administration. Canada retained its top position in Gallup's annual country ratings, with 90% of Americans viewing it favorably, unchanged from 2009. Iran continues to rank last, with 10% this year.
February 19, 2010
In U.S., 6 in 10 View Iran as Critical Threat to U.S. Interests
A Gallup poll finds 61% of Americans viewing the military power of Iran as a critical threat to U.S. vital interests over the next 10 years. An additional 29% say Iran is an important, though not a critical, threat to the United States. The findings come as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seeking the support of several Arab nations for additional sanctions on Iran in a trip to the region this week.
February 16, 2010
Majorities Not Confident about US Policies in Afghanistan
According to The Harris Poll, a majority of adults continues to give President Obama negative ratings on his handling of Afghanistan. In addition, most are not confident that US policies will be successful. However, the President's standing has improved since November and the majority who support his decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan has also increased by 7 points.
February 11, 2010
Most People Believe Osama bin Laden Is Alive and Many Believe He Is in Pakistan
A new Harris Poll finds that more than three-quarters (78%) of adult Americans believe Osama bin Laden is alive. A plurality (37%) believes that he is living in Pakistan, but many people (32%) do not feel able to even guess where he is.
February 10, 2010
Americans See Slight Improvement in U.S. Global Image
After five years when fewer than half of Americans believed the United States was seen favorably in the eyes of the world, Gallup's decade-long trend lines on this measure have again crossed. Fifty-one percent now say the U.S. is viewed favorably, up from 45% a year ago.
February 15, 2010
Americans More Divided on Strength of National Defense
Americans are more likely now (45%) than they were a year ago (37%) to say the United States' national defense is "not strong enough." At the same time, fewer believe the nation's defense is "about right."
February 18, 2010
One in Three Cite “American People” as Key U.S. Asset
Americans were asked in a recent USA Today/Gallup survey to name the one or two strengths of the United States that make them feel most optimistic about the future of the country and, conversely, the main weaknesses that make them the most pessimistic. The American people themselves, named by 35%, and the nation's military (14%) dominate the list of perceived strengths.
February 17, 2010
Does Google Make Us Stupid?
Respondents to the fourth "Future of the Internet" survey, conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project and Elon University's Imagining the Internet Center, were asked to consider the future of the internet-connected world between now and 2020, majorities believe that by 2020 internet search engines would enhance human intelligence instead of decreasing their IQs.
February 19, 2010
Some Americans Expect Higher Unemployment in 2011
People in the United States are divided in their assessment of the country’s employment crisis, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 36 per cent of respondents expect the unemployment rate to be higher a year from now, 25 per cent think it will remain the same, and 26 per cent believe it will be lower.
February 18, 2010
Some Canadians Willing to Pay, Travel for Health Care
Two-in-five Canadians would consider paying or going abroad to seek medical treatment, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 40 per cent of respondents would be willing to pay out of their own pocket to have quicker access to medical services that currently have long wait times, and 42 per cent would consider traveling to another country.
February 19, 2010
Most Canadians Generally Agree with Euthanasia
Most people in Canada support the legalization of euthanasia, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 67 per cent of respondents share this point of view, down four points since August.
February 16, 2010
LATIN AMERICA
Mexicans Evenly Split on Abortion
The legal status of abortion divides opinions in Mexico, according to a poll by Consulta Mitofsky. 48.8 per cent of respondents agree with allowing women to seek an abortion on a voluntary basis, whereas 45.3 per cent disagree.
February 20, 2010
AUSTRALASIA
Australians Would Not Change Flag or Anthem
People in Australia reject the notion of modifying two of their national symbols, according to a poll by Essential Research. 54 per cent of respondents oppose changing the Australian flag, and 52 per cent reject changing the national anthem.
February 19, 2010
Australian Political Scene Becomes Tighter
Australia’s main federal parties are virtually tied, according to a poll by Newspoll published in The Australian. 40 per cent of respondents would vote for the governing Australian Labor Party (ALP) in the next election to the House of Representatives, while 39 per cent would support the Coalition of Liberals and National.
February 17, 2010
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.