Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary, Week # 108

EAST EUROPE
Top Two Czech Parties Gain as Election Nears
The Czech Republic’s main political parties have gained public backing, according to a poll by Median. 32 per cent of respondents would vote for the opposition Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) in the next legislative election, up 2.7 points since mid-December.
February 23, 2010
WEST EUROPE
Most Britons Still Oppose Afghan Mission
A majority of people in Britain is against the military operation involving British soldiers in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 52 per cent of respondents oppose the mission, down four points since November.
February 25, 2010
Swiss Want to Maintain Banking Secrecy Laws
Most people in Switzerland disagree with ending banking secrecy legislation, according to a poll by Isopublic published in Le Matin. 62 per cent of respondents oppose abolishing banking secrecy, while 35 per cent support this notion.
February 24, 2010
Most Italians Have No Confidence in Berlusconi
The majority of people in Italy say their prime minister does not inspire trust, according to a poll by IPR Marketing published in La Repubblica. 46 per cent of respondents have confidence in Silvio Berlusconi, while 52 per cent do not.
February 23, 2010
Germans Reject Offering Financial Aid to Greece
A large proportion of people in Germany are against using government funds to help Greece’s struggling economy, according to a poll by Emnid released by N24. 71 per cent of respondents oppose using German tax money to provide financial aid to Greece.
February 23, 2010
Greeks Agree with Need for Austerity Measures
Most people in Greece admit that recent austerity measures tabled by the government are both fair and necessary to get the country out of a deep economic crisis, according to a poll by Alco published in Proto Thema. 65 per cent of respondents share this point of view, while 24.9 per cent disagree.
February 22, 2010
NORTH AMERICA
Support for Israel in U.S. at 63%, Near Record High
For the first time since 1991, more than 6 in 10 Americans -- 63% -- say their sympathies in the Middle East situation lie more with the Israelis than with the Palestinians. Fifteen percent side more with the Palestinians, down slightly from recent years, while a combined 23% favor both sides, favor neither side, or have no opinion.
February 24, 2010
Americans See U.S. Military as No. 1 Now, But Not in 20 Yrs
While 64% of Americans believe the U.S. is the No. 1 military power in the world today, many fewer (36%) believe that the U.S. will be No. 1 militarily in 20 years. At the same time, most Americans believe the U.S. will continue to have combat troops regularly involved in fighting around the world over the next two decades.
February 26, 2010
Favorability Ratings of Labor Unions Fall Sharply
Favorable views of labor unions have plummeted since 2007, amid growing public skepticism about unions’ purpose and power. Currently, 41% say they have a favorable opinion of labor unions while about as many (42%) express an unfavorable opinion. In January 2007, a clear majority (58%) had a favorable view of unions while just 31% had an unfavorable impression.
February 23, 2010
Six in 10 Underemployed Not Hopeful About Finding Work
Gallup Daily tracking during January reveals that 61% of the underemployed are not hopeful they will find a job within the next four weeks, while 39% are hopeful.
February 23, 2010
Spending Less Becoming New Norm for Many Americans
The recession and financial crisis have resulted in a significant change in the way many Americans feel about spending and saving. Six in 10 Americans (62%) now say they more enjoy saving than spending -- while 35% say the reverse. This reflects a shift that began in December 2008 and a marked change from the first half of the decade, when Americans were about evenly split regarding whether they more enjoyed spending or saving.
February 25, 2010
Fewer Americans Support Health Care Reform Bill
Adults in the United States are less enthusiastic about the health care reform bill passed by the Senate in December, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. Only 28 per cent of respondents support the legislation, down eight points since January.
February 21, 2010
Half of Americans Reject Waterboarding
Most people in the United States are against the use of a procedure known as waterboarding on suspected terrorists, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 49 per cent of respondents disapprove of the U.S. military and intelligence agencies relying on this practice, while 39 per cent approve.
February 25, 2010
Americans Back Plan to Fine Airlines for Delays
Many adults in the United States are in favour of the federal government’s decision to fine airlines for long tarmac delays, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 58 per cent of respondents support the measure, while 24 per cent oppose it.
February 24, 2010
More Americans Support Afghanistan Mission
More adults in the United States are now in favour of the ongoing military operation in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 54 per cent of respondents support the mission involving American soldiers, up five points since December.
February 23, 2010
Canadians Divided on Afghanistan Mission
Adults in Canada hold differing views on the mission in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 47 per cent of respondents support the military operation involving Canadian soldiers, while 49 per cent oppose it.
February 24, 2010

LATIN AMERICA
Castañeda, Fujimori Lead Presidential Race in Peru
The mayor of Lima and the daughter of a jailed former president are currently the frontrunners in the race to become the next head of state of Peru, according to a poll by Ipsos, Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado published in El Comercio. 22 per cent of respondents would vote for Luis Castañeda Lossio of the National Solidarity Party (PSN) in next year’s ballot, down one point since January.
February 26, 2010
Three-in-Four Brazilians Satisfied with Lula
Public support for Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is still high in the last year of his tenure, according to a poll by Ibope. 76 per cent of respondents approve of the president’s performance, down seven points since November.
February 25, 2010
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
New Zealanders Reject GST Hike
Most people in New Zealand oppose a plan to increase the Goods and Services Tax (GST) while reducing income taxes at the same time, according to a poll by UMR Research. 56 per cent of respondents reject the idea, while 33 per cent support it.
February 26, 2010
Half in Australia Content with Rudd
Satisfaction with Australia’s Kevin Rudd remains stable, according to a poll by Newspoll published in The Australian. 50 per cent of respondents are content with the prime minister’s performance, unchanged since late January.
February 25, 2010
Australians Would Ban Shopping Mall Campaigning
Most people in Australia agree with a proposal to ban politicians from campaigning in shopping malls, according to a poll by Essential Research. 57 per cent of respondents support this initiative, while 28 per cent oppose it.
February 23, 2010
Australians Reject Abbott’s Comments on Virginity
The majority of Australians condemn recent comments by opposition leader Tony Abbott suggesting that women should try to preserve their virginity until marriage, according to a poll by Essential Research. 70 per cent of respondents think Abbott should not be giving advice on moral issues related to sex and marriage.
February 21, 2010
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.