Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary, Week # 128

EUROPE

EAST EUROPE

Russians Would Pick Putin Over Medvedev

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin could defeat President Dmitry Medvedev—the man who appointed him to his current job—in the next presidential election, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 37 % of respondents would vote for Putin in the next ballot, up 10 points since April.

July 11, 2010

Domestic Politics » Performance Ratings

PM Kubilius Greatly Unpopular in Lithuania

A large majority of people in Lithuania reject the leadership of Andrius Kubilius, according to a poll by Vilmorus. 70.8 % of respondents see the prime minister unfavourably, up one point since April.

July 10, 2010

Domestic Politics » Performance Ratings

WEST EUROPE

French Brand Sarkozy’s Pension Reform as Unfair

Most people in France say a government proposal to reform the national pension system is unfair, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 52 % of respondents share this opinion, while 38 % call it a fair reform.

July 13, 2010

Domestic Politics » Governance

Most Italians Distrust PM Berlusconi

Most people in Italy say they have no confidence in their country’s prime minister, according to a poll by IPR Marketing published in La Repubblica. 54 % of respondents distrust Silvio Berlusconi, down one point since May.

July 12, 2010

Domestic Politics » Performance Ratings

Many Britons Want Abortion Window Shortened

Many people in Britain believe the time limit to perform legal abortions—currently set at the first 24 weeks of pregnancy—is too long, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 46 % of respondents say the time limit should be shortened.

July 16, 2010

Society » Morality, Values & Customs

Society » Family

Greeks Still Side with Governing PASOK

Greece’s ruling Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) remains highly popular, according to a poll by Public Issue. 43 % of respondents—all of them decided voters—would support PASOK in the next general election.

July 17, 2010

Domestic Politics » Political Parties

Opposition Labour Party Rebounds in Ireland

Ireland’s Labour Party (Lab.) has seen its popularity rise and is now second only to Fine Gael (FG), according to a poll by Red C. 27 % of respondents would vote for Labour in the next legislative election, up five points since May.

July 11, 2010

Domestic Politics » Political Parties

Few Dutch Expect New Government Soon

A third of people in the Netherlands think that, following a recent election that resulted in no definitive winner, a new government will not be formed until the end of the summer, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. 32 % of respondents say the new administration will take office in September.

July 10, 2010

Domestic Politics » Elections

AMERICAS

NORTH AMERICA

U.S. Satisfaction Steady at 21%, Down Among Dems

Americans' satisfaction with the direction of the country continues to be meager in July: 21% are satisfied and 76% are dissatisfied. The nation's mood is comparable to last month, when 23% were satisfied. Gallup USA

July 16, 2010

Economy » Perceptions on Performance/ Well-Being

Palin's 76% Favorable Among Republicans Tops Others in GOP

In America former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is the best known and most positively rated of five possible contenders for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Her 76% favorable rating among Republicans is higher than those for Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Bobby Jindal. Gallup USA

July 16, 2010

Domestic Politics » Performance Ratings

Public's Wish List for Congress -- Jobs and Deficit Reduction

In America the public overwhelmingly views the job situation as a major priority for Congress during the coming months. Fully 80% say it is very important for Congress to pass legislation to address the job situation, which is virtually unchanged from May (81%). Pew Research Center

July 12, 2010

Economy » Employment Issues

Health Care Legislation Remains Unpopular

Almost four months after the passage of major health care legislation, the law remains unpopular with the public. Nearly half of Americans (47%) disapprove of the health care law while just 35% approve of the measure. Pew Research Center

July 12, 2010

Society » Health

More Opposition than Support for U.S. Challenge of Arizona Law

More Americans disapprove than approve of the U.S. Justice Department's decision to challenge the state of Arizona's recently passed immigration law in federal court. Pew Research Center

July 12, 2010

Society » Immigration/Refugees

Opinion about Afghan War Largely Stable

American Public opinion about the war in Afghanistan has been relatively stable over the last several months. Today, a 49%-plurality says that the military effort in Afghanistan is going very (9%) or fairly (40%) well, while 40% say the effort is going not too (31%) or not at all (9%) well. Pew Research Center

July 12, 2010

Foreign Affairs & Security » Afghanistan War

41% - Jesus Christ's Return to Earth

By the year 2050, 41% of Americans believe that Jesus Christ definitely (23%) or probably (18%) will have returned to earth. However, a 46%-plurality of the public does not believe Christ will return during the next 40 years. Pew Research Center

July 12, 2010

Society » Religion

Americans Want Action to Prevent New Crisis

Many adults in the United States believe specific entities are not ready to avert a new economic downturn, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 66 % of respondents think the big corporations who made the wrong decisions have not taken the necessary steps to prevent a new global financial crisis.

July 12, 2010

Economy » Financial systems & Institutions

Military Wellbeing Remains High Among Previously Deployed

In America Active duty military personnel who have ever been deployed to a foreign war have strikingly similar wellbeing levels as active duty personnel who have never been deployed. In both cases, these levels exceed the wellbeing scores found among U.S. workers in general. Gallup USA

July 14, 2010

Foreign Affairs & Security » Military Issues/ Defence

Economy » Perceptions on Performance/ Well-Being

Economy Dominates as Nation's Most Important Problem

Americans name the economy in general and the jobs situation specifically as the top problems facing the country today. Top-of-mind mentions of "natural disaster response and relief" efforts are down significantly after spiking in June. Gallup USA

July 14, 2010

Economy » Perceptions on Performance/ Well-Being

VP Favorable Ratings: Gore Down; Cheney, Biden Flat

Americans' current views of former Vice President Al Gore have become significantly more negative compared with three years ago, and are among the worst for him in more than a decade. Gallup USA

July 14, 2010

Domestic Politics » Performance Ratings

Americans behind Petraeus; See Tough Job in Afghanistan

As Gen. David Petraeus takes charge of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the majority of Americans like him personally while at the same time viewing the conflict there as going badly for the U.S. Gallup USA

July 13, 2010

Foreign Affairs & Security » Military Issues/ Defence

Foreign Affairs & Security » Afghanistan War

Voters Rate the Parties' Ideologies

In broad terms, in America voters view the Democratic Party’s ideology as the opposite of the Republican Party’s: 58% say the Democratic Party is either very liberal or liberal while 56% say the GOP is either very conservative or conservative. Pew Research Center

July 16, 2010

Domestic Politics » Political Parties

Americans Unsurprised at Russian Espionage

The revelation that there are Russian spies posing as American citizens in the United States did not shock many people in the North American country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 77 % of respondents say they were not surprised about this situation.

July 14, 201

Foreign Affairs & Security » Military Issues/ Defence

Tories Have Nine-Point Advantage in Canada

The Conservative Party remains ahead of its rivals in Canada, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 36 % of respondents would vote for the Tories in the next federal election.

July 13, 201

Domestic Politics » Political Parties

Canadians Remain Split on Guantanamo Inmate

People in Canada remain divided on how to handle the case of the last western inmate left at the American detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 43 % of respondents say Canadian citizen Omar Khadr should be left to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo, down three points since May.

July 16, 201

Foreign Affairs & Security » Terrorism

Queen’s Visit Raises Monarchy Profile in Canada

A recent trip by Queen Elizabeth II to Canada has slightly improved the monarchy’s standing in the country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 36 % of respondents want Canada to remain a monarchy, up three points since May 2010.

July 15, 2010

Domestic Politics » National Image/ Trust

LATIN AMERICA

Serra and Rousseff Contest Tight Election in Brazil

Conservative candidate Jose Serra and left-leaning contender Dilma Rousseff are neck-and-neck in the race to become Brazil’s next head of state, according to a poll by Datafolha published in Folha de Sao Paulo. 39 % of respondents would vote for Serra of the Brazilian Party of Social Democracy (PSDB) in this year’s ballot, up two points since May.

July 15, 2010

Domestic Politics » Elections

AUSTRALASIA

U.S. Leadership Approval Soars in Australia, New Zealand

Approval of U.S. leadership nearly tripled among Australians and New Zealanders between 2008 and 2010. Approval jumped from 25% to 69% in Australia and from 22% to 65% in New Zealand. The 44- and 43-percentage point increases are two of the highest jumps Gallup has measured worldwide pre- and post-Obama.

July 15, 2010

Foreign Affairs & Security » US image

GLOBAL/MULTI-COUNTRY POLLS

Canadians, Americans and Britons Ignored Summits

Few people in Canada, the United States and Britain paid close attention to the recent G8 and G20 summits, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 23 % of respondents in Canada, 20 % in the U.S., and 19 % in Britain followed the final communiqués from participating nations.

July 17, 2010

Foreign Affairs & Security » International / Regional Organizations

World's Underemployed Often Most Likely to Desire to Migrate

Underemployed adults in many parts of the world are often the most likely to say they would like to move to another country permanently if given the chance. Job status makes little difference, however, in some places in Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa. Gallup USA

July 12, 2010

Economy » Employment Issues

Society » Immigration/Refugees §
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