Nearly half think Geneva summit will worsen things for Cyprus – poll

Ruling Disy appears to have it in the upcoming parliamentary elections – or at least that is the perception among the public – while a substantial percentage are not upbeat about the five-way conference on Cyprus, a just-released poll has found.

The gallup was conducted in mid-April for the Sigma channel by LS Prime Market Research & Consulting Ltd. It polled 1050 respondents, all registered voters, chosen at random. Respondents were posed a series of questions via telephone.

Regarding the five-way conference on Cyprus taking place in Geneva next week, and asked about what they thought the outcome will be, 14 per cent said it will “lay the foundations for a solution.”

Meanwhile 44 per cent said “the problem will worsen”; 32 per cent that the situation will not change; 10 per cent did not respond.

On the return of Famagusta and Morphou as a prerequisite for a settlement, 64 per cent said this was “a line in the sand,” 29 per cent said it was not.

Regarding trust in institutions that are engaged or involved with a potential Cyprus solution, ranked from ‘zero trust’ to ‘full trust’ (a score of 10), the United Nations got a score of 3.65; the European Union 4.36; Russia 3.77; Greece as a guarantor 6; and Britain as a guarantor 2.42.

Coming to May’s legislative elections, 54 per cent were quite/very interested; and 27 per cent were not interested at all or had very little interest.

Interest had risen since the last polling in March, when 45 per cent had stated they were quite/very interested.

As far as intention to vote went, 74 per cent were likely or certain to vote; and 17 per cent likely or certain not to vote.

Gauging the popularity of party leaders (favourable opinions), Charalambos Theopemptou of the Greens garnered 31 per cent; Eleni Theocharous of Solidarity 31 per cent; Anna Theologou of the Independents 30 per cent; Averof Neophytou of Disy 23 per cent; Nicholas Papadopoulos of Diko 22 per cent; Marios Garoyian of the Democratic Front 21 per cent; Andros Kyprianou of Akel 18 per cent; Marinos Sizopoulos of Edek 18 per cent; and Christos Christou of Elam 17 per cent.

The politician with the highest unfavourable opinion was Andros Kyprianou at 60 per cent.

Asked which party had “the best parliamentary track record” over the past five years, 22 per cent of respondents picked Disy, 14 per cent said Akel. The “most active” party during the last five years was Disy, followed by Akel.

On which politician is best suited to vie for the position of House Speaker, Adamos Adamou (Akel) came in first at 12 per cent; followed by Nicholas Papadopoulos at 10 per cent.

Asked who they thought would actually get elected House Speaker, respondents said Nicholas Papadopoulos was the most likely.

Moving on to projections/predictions for the winner, 56 per cent thought Disy will win by a small margin; and 8 per cent by a large margin. Eight per cent thought Akel will win by a small margin; and 1 per cent by a large margin.

On whom they’d like to see hold the largest possibly majority in the new House, 75 per cent said “more parties,” and 18 per cent said one party.

Regarding voting intention if elections were held today, Disy got 16.4 per cent, Akel 15 per cent, Diko 8.3 per cent, and Edek 3.2 per cent.

The profile of undecided voters went like this: Disy 25 per cent; Akel 7 per cent; Diko 11 per cent.