News and Press releases

• According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group, 76% of respondents noticed an improvement in the condition of roads and an increase in road repairs over the past year (in 2017 this share was 62%, in 2018 – 61%). 23% hold the opposite view. Assessing improvements in road conditions at different levels, 67% of respondents noticed improvements on interregional roads, 63% in their district, and 62% in their locality.
• Among respondents who noticed improvements in road conditions, 46% believe that the main credit for this belongs to local authorities, 29% believe it is the President’s merit, only 3% attribute it to the Prime Minister, and 2% to the Verkhovna Rada. Over the past three years, the share of those who believe that road improvements are the President’s merit has increased significantly.
• If in 2017–2018 good roads were considered the merit of local authorities and the Prime Minister, then in 2020 they are attributed to local authorities and the President.
• 56% of respondents believe that more roads are being repaired under Zelenskyy than under Poroshenko (13%). 18% believe that the amount of construction was the same. Assessing the sphere of social infrastructure construction, 27% believe that more is being built under Zelenskyy, 27% under both, and 17% under Poroshenko.
• Comparing all presidents, 41% believe that the most road repairs took place under Zelenskyy. 15% believe this was during President Poroshenko’s term, 11% during Yanukovych’s, 8% during Kuchma’s, 3% during Yushchenko’s, and 2% during Kravchuk’s. 17% were unable to decide on this issue.

‍

‍

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group (16–19 October) recorded a gradual increase in positive expectations regarding local elections since the beginning of the study (early September 2020). At present, 34% of respondents believe that the situation in their city or village will improve as a result of the elections. 52% believe that nothing will change. Only 6% believe that the situation will worsen. An increase in optimism is observed across all age groups.
• 61% of respondents stated their intention to participate in the local elections. 18% are undecided (50/50), another 7% may participate, and 13% consider participation unlikely. Electoral mobilization is gradually increasing among younger and middle-aged groups.
• In the event of a worsening coronavirus situation, 51% confirmed their readiness to take part in the elections, 21% are undecided (50/50), 9% may come to polling stations, and 17% consider participation unlikely. Over the past two weeks, the number of those ready to come to polling stations even in the event of an escalation of the epidemic has increased.
• 58% of respondents said they had already decided whom to vote for, while 40% had not. Among those who stated that they would definitely come to polling stations, 73% are decided. A relatively higher level of certainty is observed among the oldest respondents.
• According to the aggregated party rating in local elections, five parties pass the conditional 5% threshold among those who are decided and have a firm intention to vote: “Servant of the People” with 16.7%, “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 13.5%, “European Solidarity” with 13.2%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8.6%, and “For the Future” with 7.4%.
• The party “Our Land” is supported by 4.0%. The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko has 3.3%, UDAR of Vitali Klitschko 2.7%, Svoboda 2.3%, the Shariy Party 1.9%, “Proposition” 1.6%, “Holos” 1.4%, “Strength and Honor” 1.2%, and “Palchevskyi’s Victory” 0.9%. The combined rating of other parties (mainly local ones) participating in the local elections and included in the study list is 21.3%.
• 48% believe that minor falsifications will occur in the local elections. 28% are convinced that they will be significant. 16% believe that there will be no falsifications. Over the past month, the number of those expecting significant falsifications has increased.
• 62% of respondents have a negative attitude toward situations where, during elections, some politicians and parties provide material assistance to voters (distributing food packages, money, funds for repairs or treatment). 19% are neutral, and 15% are positive. At the same time, only 6% personally encountered attempts at bribery, 11% know about such cases from relatives or acquaintances, and 81% had no such experience during this election campaign.
• 57% have heard about the Government’s recommendation to vote using a personal pen. 42% have not heard about it. Only one third know about the recommendation not to bring children to polling stations. 65% do not know about this recommendation, especially among those who have children under 16 years old. Despite this, 87% support such a recommendation, while only 10% hold the opposite view.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on 17–19 October among residents of Chernivtsi showed that city residents assess the situation in the city and in the country equally pessimistically. Thus, 70% believe that affairs in the country are developing in the wrong direction, while 19% think they are moving in the right direction. With regard to the city, 17% believe that affairs are moving in the right direction, while 76% believe they are moving in the wrong direction.
• 69% said that they will definitely take part in the local elections, another 13% are hesitant about whether to participate, 3% may take part, and 15% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older residents.
• In the rating for the Chernivtsi City Council, the party “Yedyna Alternatyva” is in the lead with a rating of 18.9% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. This is followed by the party “Team of Mykhailishyn,” which is ready to be supported by 16.7%, “Servant of the People” with 12.2%, “European Solidarity” with 9.0%, “Proposition” with 9.0%, the Party of Chernivtsi Residents with 4.7%, “For the Future” with 4.5%, “Batkivshchyna” with 4.4%, and “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 4.0%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. About 17% have not yet decided.
• Among the mayoral candidates, Vitalii Mykhailishyn is the leader, with 28.9% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. 24.8% are ready to support Roman Klichuk, 17.3% Oleksii Kaspruk, 8.6% Vitalii Druhanovskyi, and 4.0% Vasyl Maksymiuk. The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About 13% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.
• 35.0% believe that Roman Klichuk will become the new mayor of Chernivtsi. 32.4% believe that it will be Vitalii Mykhailishyn, 17.9% Oleksii Kaspruk, and 10.0% Vitalii Druhanovskyi. Less than 1% believe in the victory of other candidates.
• Modeling of the second round of the mayoral elections showed that if R. Klichuk were to advance to the second round against other potential candidates, the candidate from the party “Yedyna Alternatyva” would win. In a runoff against O. Kaspruk, the result would be 47% versus 29%; against V. Druhanovskyi, 43% versus 19%; and against V. Mykhailishyn, 42% versus 36%. In a matchup between O. Kaspruk and V. Mykhailishyn, the latter would win with a result of 42% versus 35%.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on 16–19 October recorded a gradual increase in positive expectations from elections at the local level since the start of the study (early September 2020). Today, 34% of respondents believe that the situation as a result of the elections in their city/village will improve. 52% believe that nothing will change. Only 6% believe that it will worsen. An increase in optimism is recorded in all age groups.
• 61% of respondents stated that they plan to take part in the local elections. 18% are undecided (50/50), another 7% may take part, and 13% say participation is unlikely. Electoral mobilization is gradually increasing among younger and middle-aged groups.
• In the event of a worsening coronavirus situation, 51% confirmed their readiness to take part in the elections, 21% are undecided (50/50), 9% may come to polling stations, and 17% say participation is unlikely. Over the past two weeks, the number of those ready to come to polling stations even in the event of a worsening epidemic has increased.
• 58% of respondents said they have already decided whom to vote for, while 40% have not decided. Among those who said they would definitely come to polling stations, 73% have made their choice. A relatively higher level of certainty is observed among the oldest respondents.
• According to the aggregated party rating for local elections, five parties cross the notional 5% threshold: “Servant of the People” with 16.7% among those who have decided and have a firm intention to vote, “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 13.5%, “European Solidarity” with 13.2%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8.6%, and “For the Future” with 7.4%.
• The party “Nash Krai” is supported by 4.0%. The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko has 3.3%, UDAR of Vitalii Klychko 2.7%, Svoboda 2.3%, the Shariy Party 1.9%, “Proposition” 1.6%, “Holos” 1.4%, “Strength and Honor” 1.2%, and “Victory of Palchevskyi” 0.9%. The combined rating of other parties (mainly local ones) participating in the local elections and included in the study list is 21.3%.
• 48% believe that there will be minor falsifications in the local elections. 28% are convinced that they will be significant. 16% believe there will be none. Over the past month, the number of those expecting significant falsifications has increased.
• 62% of respondents have a negative attitude toward situations where, during elections, some politicians and parties provide material assistance to voters (distribute food packages, money, funds for repairs or treatment). 19% have a neutral attitude, and 15% a positive one. At the same time, only 6% personally encountered attempts at bribery, 11% know about this from relatives or acquaintances, and 81% did not have such experience during this election campaign.
• 57% have heard about the Government’s recommendation to vote using one’s own pen, while 42% have not. Only one third know about the recommendation not to bring children to polling stations. 65% do not know about it, with a higher share among those who have children under 16. Despite this, 87% support this recommendation, while only 10% hold the opposite view.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during 9–14 October among residents of Odesa showed that Odesa residents assess the situation in the city somewhat more positively than the situation in the country as a whole. Thus, 75% believe that affairs in the country are developing in the wrong direction, while only 12% think they are moving in the right direction. With regard to the city, 28% believe that affairs are moving in the right direction, while 57% think they are developing in the wrong direction.
• 21% are satisfied with the performance of President V. Zelenskyi, while 67% are dissatisfied. More than half of respondents are satisfied with the performance of the Mayor of Odesa, H. Trukhanov (53%), while 33% are dissatisfied. Almost 60% of respondents do not mind H. Trukhanov becoming mayor again, while 37% believe the city needs a new mayor.
• 61% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 18% are hesitating whether to participate, 5% may take part, and 15% are unlikely to vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents.
• In the rating for the Odesa City Council, the Trust the Deeds party is leading with 36.2% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. It is followed by the Opposition Platform – For Life party with 19.4%, Servant of the People with 12.3%, European Solidarity with 7.2%, the Ukrainian Maritime Party of S. Kivalov with 6.3%, and the Shariy Party with 5.9%. The rating of other parties is below 3%. 14% have not decided.
• When choosing a political force in the city council elections, 25% are more likely to support a well-known national party, while 61% are more likely to support a local party, even if it runs only in the city or region.
• Among mayoral candidates, Hennadii Trukhanov is the leader with 50.1% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. 10.6% are ready to support Mykola Skoryk, 8.8% Oleh Filimonov, 7.9% Serhii Kivalov, 5.9% Petro Obukhov, 4.4% Eduard Hurvits, and 3.2% Yevhen Chervonenko. The ratings of other candidates are below 2%. About 14% of respondents have not decided whom they would vote for.
• Modeling of a second round of the mayoral elections showed that if H. Trukhanov were to face other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a matchup with E. Hurvits the result would be 68% versus 14%, with S. Kivalov 62% versus 16%, with P. Obukhov 65% versus 12%, with M. Skoryk 59% versus 18%, and with O. Filimonov 64% versus 17%.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group during 2–9 October among residents of Kharkiv Oblast showed that 56% will definitely take part in the local elections, another 20% are hesitant about whether to participate, 9% may take part, and 15% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents, women, and residents of Kharkiv city.
• In the rating for the Kharkiv Oblast Council, the “Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv” party is in the lead with a rating of 45.7% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. It is followed by the “Svitlychna Bloc Together!” party, supported by 19.6%, the “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 13.7%, “Servant of the People” with 7.4%, “European Solidarity” with 4.2%, and the Shariy Party with 3.7%. The rating of other parties is below 2%. About 11% remain undecided.
  

• The results of a survey conducted by the Sociological Group Rating on 16–18 October among residents of Oleksandriia showed that city residents assess the local situation relatively more positively than the situation in the country as a whole. Thus, 76% believe that affairs in the state are developing in the wrong direction, while only 15% think they are moving in the right direction. With regard to the city, 39% believe that things are moving in the right direction, while 48% think they are moving in the wrong direction. The dynamics of overall public sentiment in the city show a negative trend.
• A total of 68% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 14% are undecided about participation, 4% may take part, and 13% say it is unlikely they will vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents.
• Modeling a possible worsening of the epidemiological situation in the city slightly reduces overall voter mobilization. In this case, 61% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 16% are undecided, 5% may take part, and 16% say it is unlikely they will vote. Despite this, older respondents still express the greatest willingness to come to polling stations.
• In the rating for the Oleksandriia City Council, the party “Proposition” is leading with a rating of 29,3% among those who intend to vote and have made their choice. It is followed by the party “Opposition Platform – For Life,” which is supported by 17,9%, “European Solidarity” with 10,4%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8,4%, “Servant of the People” with 8,3%, “Strength of People” with 6,3%, and the Radical Party of Lyashko with 5,6%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. About 19–20% are undecided.
• Among mayoral candidates, Serhii Kuzmenko is the leader with 61,4% among those who intend to vote and have made their choice. 36,9% are ready to support Stepan Tsapiuk, and 0,9% Volodymyr Trofymenko. About 10% of respondents have not yet decided whom they will vote for.
• A total of 85% of respondents said they are confident in their choice of mayoral candidate. Confidence is relatively higher among supporters of S. Kuzmenko, at 88%.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group on 14–16 October showed that 60% know that President Zelensky announced a nationwide poll to be held on election day, 25 October. Among them, 25% said they know about it well, while 35% have heard something about it. At the same time, 40% know nothing about this initiative. A relatively higher level of awareness of the presidential initiative is observed among urban residents and older respondents. During the fieldwork period, a gradual increase in the share of those who had heard about this initiative was recorded.
• 42% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the President’s idea of holding a nationwide poll on election day. 33% perceive it neutrally, while 22% have a negative attitude. Relatively stronger support for this idea is observed among residents of the south-eastern regions of the country, inhabitants of villages and small towns, and voters of the “Servant of the People” party. The most negative attitudes toward this initiative are found among the oldest respondents and voters of the “European Solidarity” party.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group between October 3–10 among residents of Kropyvnytskyi showed that 67% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 22% were undecided about participation, and 10% said it was unlikely that they would vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents and women.
• In the rating for the Kropyvnytskyi City Council, the party Proposition is leading with 26.9% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. It is followed by the party City Perspective, supported by 18.8%, Servant of the People with 11.4%, Opposition Platform – For Life with 9.7%, European Solidarity with 8.4%, Batkivshchyna with 7.0%, For the Future with 4.4%, and Native City with 4.3%. The rating of other parties is below 3%. About 11% of respondents remain undecided.
• Among mayoral candidates, the leader is Andrii Raikovych, with 49.2% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. Artem Stryzhakov is supported by 24.9%, Anatolii Larin by 8.0%, Olha Kovalova-Alokili by 6.9%, and Oleksandr Tsertii by 4.4%. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. About 12% of respondents have not yet decided whom they will vote for.
• Modeling of a possible second round of the mayoral election showed that if A. Raikovych were to advance to the runoff against other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a matchup with A. Stryzhakov, the result would be 56% versus 33%; with A. Larin, 65% versus 18%; and with O. Kovalova-Alokili, 66% versus 17%.

• According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group, 85% of respondents consider themselves patriots of their country, while 12% hold the opposite view. Patriotically minded citizens are present in roughly equal proportions across all regions of the country, and relatively more often among older respondents.
• 69% of respondents have a positive attitude toward establishing 14 October as the national holiday of the Defender of Ukraine Day, 23% feel neutral about it, and only 5% have a negative attitude. This holiday is perceived most positively by residents of the West and the Center. About 60% of respondents in the East and South view the holiday positively, around one third feel neutral, and only 6–7% have a negative attitude.
• 59% of respondents expressed readiness, in the event of a relevant threat, to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine with weapons in hand (in 2019 such respondents accounted for 56%, in 2017 – 54%, and in 2012 – 33%). Relatively more of these respondents are men, middle-aged individuals, and people with relatively higher incomes.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on 8–9 October among residents of Kryvyi Rih showed that 72% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, about 20% were undecided about whether to participate, and 8% said it was unlikely that they would vote. Voter mobilization is higher among older respondents.
• In the rating for the Kryvyi Rih City Council, the Vilkul Bloc “Ukrainian Perspective” is leading with 33.8% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. It is followed by the Servant of the People party with 23.2%, the Opposition Platform – For Life with 10.3%, the Shariy Party with 8.2%, European Solidarity with 7.3%, Strength of the People with 6.1%, Batkivshchyna with 4.7%, and Proposition with 4.2%. The rating of other parties is below 2%. About 23% of respondents are undecided.
• Among mayoral candidates, Yurii Vilkul is the leader with 40.8% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. 29.0% are ready to support Dmytro Shevchyk, 10.1% Kostiantyn Pavlov, 7.2% Yurii Yarovyi, and 5.5% Yurii Myloboh. The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About 20% of respondents have not yet decided whom they will vote for.

• The results of the fourth wave of the survey conducted by Rating Group on October 4–7 recorded an increase in public awareness of the local elections.
• 58% of respondents know that the elections will take place on October 25, another 14% said they would be held sometime this month, and 2% named a different month or date. At the same time, 26% either do not know the date at all or hesitated to answer. In mid-September, only about one third knew the exact date of the local elections.
• 20% said they know which electoral system will be used for the local elections, compared to 13% in September. 26% acknowledged partial awareness of this issue, while more than half (55%) know nothing about it.
• Over the past four years, confidence in the importance of one’s own vote in elections has increased. In 2016–17, about half of respondents said their vote did not matter. This year, such respondents account for about one third. More than half are convinced of the opposite. This view is most common among residents of Kyiv and Galicia, younger respondents, and those who stated they would definitely participate in the elections.
• For one third of respondents, the most important factor in local elections is who will become the city or village mayor, while almost three times fewer (13%) consider it more important which parties will enter local councils. At the same time, 35% said it is equally important to them who becomes mayor and which political forces come to power.
• 81% of respondents said that when deciding whom to vote for in local elections, they make the decision independently. At the same time, 15% more often consult with relatives or close people. The latter are most common among the youngest and the oldest respondents, rural residents, women, and those living in Western Ukraine.
• 37% said they often follow local politics and decisions of local authorities, 31% do so occasionally, 20% rarely, and 8% are not interested in these issues at all.
• 27% discuss local election issues with family members, close people, or colleagues. 32% do so occasionally, 23% rarely, and 14% do not discuss them at all. Those who discuss local elections with close people are more common among older respondents.
• 58% of respondents stated that they would take part in the local elections. 21% are undecided (50/50), another 8% might take part, and 13% say it is unlikely. In the event of a worsening coronavirus situation, 46% confirmed readiness to participate in the elections, 23% are undecided (50/50), 9% might come to polling stations, and 21% say it is unlikely. Over the past week, trends in declared turnout have remained virtually unchanged.
• According to information from territorial election commissions, during the fourth wave of the survey adjustments were made to the lists of parties that nominated candidates to regional councils. In total, 77 different parties were included in the rating, the vast majority of which are local parties running in one or several regional councils.
• According to the aggregated party rating for the local elections as of October 7, five parties cross the conditional 5% threshold: Servant of the People with 17.2% among those who have decided and intend to vote, Opposition Platform – For Life with 12.6%, European Solidarity with 11.7%, Batkivshchyna with 7.5%, and For the Future with 7.2%. Almost all of these parties improved their results over the past week.
• The party Our Land is supported by 4.0%. The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko has 3.9%, UDAR of Vitalii Klychko 3.0%, the Shariy Party 2.6%, Svoboda 2.4%, and the parties Holos, Palchevskyi’s Victory, and Strength and Honor each have 1.6%, while the Proposition party has about 1%. The combined rating of other parties, mostly local ones participating in the local elections and included in the survey list, is 22.2%.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group between September 26–28 among residents of Oleksandriia showed that city residents assess the local situation significantly more positively than the overall situation in the country. Thus, only 15% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 74% hold the opposite view. At the same time, 46% of city residents believe that affairs in the city are moving in the right direction, while 43% think otherwise.
• 64% of respondents want changes in the city, including 40% who prefer gradual changes and 24% who support rapid changes. 32% are in favor of stability.
• 45% expect improvements after the local elections on October 25. 37% are convinced that nothing will change, and only 3% expect deterioration.
• 74% said that they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 12% are undecided (50/50), 3% may take part, and 10% are unlikely to vote. A relatively higher level of pre-election mobilization is observed among the older age group.
• Among the mayoral candidates, Serhii Kuzmenko is the leader, with 58.5% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. 38.2% are ready to support Stepan Tsapiuk. 1.6% support Volodymyr Trofymenko. About 9% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.

• The results of the third wave of the survey conducted by Rating Group on September 25–28 showed that respondents generally trust the institutions responsible for organizing local elections. In particular, 74% of respondents trust the members of polling station commissions at their place of residence, while 21% do not. 61% trust the Central Election Commission, while 35% do not. Compared to the period of the previous parliamentary elections in July 2019, trust in these institutions has increased.
• One third of respondents hope for positive changes in their cities and villages as a result of the October 25 elections. Half believe that nothing will change, and only 7% expect deterioration. The last two waves demonstrate a positive dynamic for this indicator across all age groups.
• 56% of respondents said they would definitely take part in the local elections. 20% are undecided (50/50), another 8% may take part, and 15% said their participation is unlikely. Over the last four waves, voter activity indicators have somewhat stabilized.
• According to the aggregated party rating for the local elections, five parties pass the notional 5% threshold among those who have decided and intend to vote. Servant of the People is supported by 15.5%, European Solidarity by 11.4%, Opposition Platform – For Life by 11.4%, Batkivshchyna by 8.3%, and For the Future by 6.2%.
• The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko is supported by 4.9%. Our Land and UDAR of Vitalii Klychko are each supported by 3.1%, Svoboda by 3.0%, the Sharii Party by 2.5%, Strength and Honor by 2.0%, Proposition and Holos by 1.8% each, and Palchevskyi’s Victory by 1.7%. The combined rating of other parties participating in the local elections and included in the study amounts to 23.4%.
• The majority of respondents, between 60% and 70%, believe that at the local level it is more important for parties to have a strong local leader rather than a well-known national one, experienced politicians rather than “new faces,” and a strong team rather than a single strong leader.
• 59% believe that socio-economic initiatives are more important for a local party than its ideological position, which is considered more important by only 14%.
• 34% believe that for a local party it is more important to support President Zelensky’s course, while 26% think it is more important to be in opposition to the current president. At the same time, for nearly 40% the factor of supporting or opposing the authorities is not important when making their choice.
• 45% believe that for a candidate for mayor or village head it is more important to address current issues. Almost the same share, 43%, are convinced that it is more important for the candidate to propose a development strategy for the locality. Notably, older respondents place greater importance on strategy, while younger respondents prioritize current issues.
• One third of respondents are ready to support the incumbent head of their locality in the elections, the same share would support another candidate, and 35% are undecided. Among those who choose the incumbent, 58% do so because they consider him or her a strong local leader, 16% because they see the incumbent as a good person, and 20% because they consider other candidates worse.
• More than 90% know who their city or village head is, and 60% have personally met the head of their locality at some point, primarily residents of rural areas.
• 47% know who the member of parliament from their constituency is, while 50% do not. Only one third have ever met the MP personally. Residents of rural areas are more likely than city dwellers to know their constituency MP and to have met him or her in person.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on September 25–26 among residents of the Bila Tserkva territorial community showed that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the situation in the oblast or the country as a whole. Thus, only 12% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 74% hold the opposite view. Regarding the oblast, 17% believe the direction of development is right, while 62% consider it wrong. At the same time, 43% of community residents believe that affairs in Bila Tserkva are moving in the right direction, although 47% hold the opposite opinion.
• The quality of medical services (50%) and job creation (44%) are considered the main priorities for the work of the future head of the territorial community, according to respondents. Another 37% believe that the community leader should primarily focus on road repairs and safety in the city. A total of 29% consider combating land theft a priority, 26% point to waste collection and removal, 25% to drinking water quality, and 14–16% mention street lighting, increasing the number of schools and kindergartens, sidewalk repairs, water supply, and sewerage.
• The activities of President Zelensky are approved by 25% of respondents and disapproved by 61%. Only 9% approve of the work of Prime Minister Shmyhal, 63% disapprove, and 28% found it difficult to assess. The activities of parliament are approved by 7% and disapproved by 82% of respondents.
• The work of the Bila Tserkva mayor, Hennadii Dykyi, is approved by 66% of respondents and disapproved by 26%. A total of 67% are not opposed to the incumbent mayor being re-elected, while 27% stated the need to elect a new figure.
• A total of 79% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 7% are undecided (50/50), 3% may take part, and 10% say it is unlikely they will vote. A relatively higher level of pre-election mobilization is observed among the older population.
• In the city council rating, the party “Za Maibutnie” is in the lead with 40.5% among those who intend to vote and have made their choice. It is followed by the party “Bila Tserkva Razom,” which is supported by 23.6%. A total of 7.0% would vote for the “Batkivshchyna” party, 6.8% for “European Solidarity,” 5.6% for the “Servant of the People” party, and 3.7% for the “Opposition Platform – For Life” party. The rating of other political forces is below 3%. About 10% remain undecided.
• Among mayoral candidates, Hennadii Dykyi is the leader with 53.6% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. A total of 27.8% are ready to support Mykola Babenko. The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About 5% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.
• Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections showed that if H. Dykyi were to advance to the runoff against other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a matchup with M. Babenko, the result would be 60% versus 31%, and in a matchup with D. Kyryshun, 68% versus 9%.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group between September 9 and 17 among residents of Ternopil showed that 60% of respondents believe that affairs in the city are moving in the right direction, while 29% hold the opposite view. When assessing the situation in the region, 38% said that affairs in the oblast are developing in the right direction, and the same share believe they are moving in the wrong direction, while about a quarter were unable to give an assessment.
• Only 20% of Ternopil residents believe that affairs in Ukraine as a whole are developing in the right direction, while 65% disagree with this. Similarly, 65% are dissatisfied with the performance of President V. Zelenskyi, and only 23% are satisfied. Most respondents were unable to assess the performance of the Head of the Oblast Council and the Head of the Oblast State Administration; however, among city residents there are more dissatisfied than satisfied with their work (14% are satisfied and 24% dissatisfied with the performance of Oblast Council Head V. Ovcharuk; 11% are satisfied and 33% dissatisfied with the performance of Oblast State Administration Head V. Trush).
• In the local elections on October 25, a quarter of respondents intend to support a local party, while 57% plan to support a national party, and another 18% were unable to answer. Likewise, a quarter of respondents said they would definitely vote for a local party, and another half might vote for such a party under certain circumstances, while 18% said they would not vote for a local party.
• 65% said they would definitely take part in parliamentary elections if they were held in the near future, another 13% would rather participate, while about 20% said it is unlikely or they would definitely not vote. Voter mobilization is higher among older respondents.
• The leader in the parliamentary party rating is the party “European Solidarity,” which is supported by 23.6% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. Among decided voters, 16.2% plan to vote for the party “Servant of the People,” and 14.6% for the party “Svoboda.” Another 7.8% would vote for “Holos,” 7.0% for “Batkivshchyna,” 5.4% for “For the Future,” 4.3% for “Strength and Honor,” and 4.0% for “Civic Position.” The ratings of other parties are below 5%, while about 13% have not yet decided.
• The anti-rating for parliamentary elections is led by the parties “Opposition Platform” and “Servant of the People,” for which about 32% of voters would under no circumstances vote. 19% would definitely not vote for “European Solidarity,” 15% for the Radical Party, 13% for “Batkivshchyna,” 11% for the Shariy Party, and 10% for UDAR. About 7–8% would not vote for “Holos,” “Svoboda,” “Ukrainian Strategy,” or “For the Future.”
• 69% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 11% would rather participate, while about 18% said it is unlikely or they would definitely not vote. The share of those intending to vote is higher among older respondents.
• In the rating for the Oblast Council, the parties “European Solidarity” and “Svoboda” are tied for the lead, each with 20.2% among those who intend to vote and have decided. They are followed by the party “Servant of the People,” supported by 15.4%, and the party “For the Future,” with 13.6%. On the threshold of passing the electoral barrier are “Batkivshchyna” and “Strength of the People,” with 5.1% and 4.0% respectively. Another 3.5% would vote for “Holos” and the Ukrainian Galician Party, and 2.5% for “Strength and Honor.” The ratings of other parties are below 3%, while about 17% have not yet decided.
• The anti-rating for the Oblast Council is also led by “Servant of the People” and the “Opposition Platform,” for which about one third of voters would under no circumstances vote. Another 18% would never vote for “European Solidarity,” 15% for “Batkivshchyna,” 13% for UDAR, 12% for the Radical Party, 9% for “For the Future,” and 8% for “Svoboda.” About 6–7% would not vote for the parties “Dovira,” “Holos,” “Strength of the People,” or “Strength and Honor.”

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group between September 17 and 23, 2020 among residents of Kherson showed that respondents assess the situation both in the city and in Ukraine equally pessimistically. Thus, only 9% of respondents said that affairs in the city are moving in the right direction, while 77% believe the opposite. Regarding Ukraine, only 12% state that the direction of development in the country is correct, while 73% consider it incorrect.
• A total of 58% said they would definitely take part in the local elections. Nineteen percent of respondents do not intend to vote. A relatively higher level of electoral mobilization is observed among women, older respondents, and lower-income respondents.
• Among mayoral candidates, Ihor Kolykhaiev is the leader with 31.2% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. A total of 23.2% are ready to support Volodymyr Saldo, 13.4% Yurii Kyrylov, 8.6% Mykhailo Opanashchenko, and 5.3% each Ivan Hlukhiv and Vasyl Fedin. A total of 3.3% would support Mykola Kononenko. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. About 13% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.
• Modeling of the second round of mayoral elections showed that if Ihor Kolykhaiev and Volodymyr Saldo were to advance to the runoff, the leader of the party “Nam tut zhyty!” would win with a result of 57% versus 34% among those who intend to vote. In a matchup with Yurii Kyrylov, Ihor Kolykhaiev would also win, with a result of 59% versus 25%.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group on 24 September 2020 among residents of Ternopil showed that Serhii Nadal (Svoboda) holds the leading position among candidates for mayor of the city, with 75.6% among those who have decided and intend to vote. The ratings of other candidates are significantly lower. Thus, 5.4% are ready to cast their votes for Viktor Ovcharuk (European Solidarity), 5.1% for Ivan Sorokolit (Syla Liudei), 4.6% for Viktor Hevko (Servant of the People), 3.7% for Leonid Bytsiura (Batkivshchyna), and 3.3% for Iryna Yaremchuk (Ukrainian Galician Party). The ratings of other candidates are below 1%. About 9% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.
• Modeling of the second round of the mayoral election showed that if S. Nadal and other potential candidates were to advance to it, the incumbent mayor would win. In a matchup with I. Sorokolit, the result would be 83% versus 10%, with V. Ovcharuk – 81% versus 11%, and with L. Bytsiura – 82% versus 9%.

• The results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group between 18 and 24 September among residents of Mariupol showed that city residents assess the local situation much more positively than the overall situation in the country. Thus, only 14% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 69% hold the opposite view. At the same time, 62% of city residents believe that affairs in Mariupol are developing in the right direction, although 24% think otherwise.
• 67% said that they will definitely take part in the local elections, about 20% are hesitating (50/50), and 12% say it is unlikely that they will vote.
• In the rating for the Mariupol City Council, the Vadym Boichenko Bloc leads with 55,2% among those who intend to vote and have made their choice. Next is the “Opposition Platform – For Life” party, which 23,3% are ready to support. 5,7% would vote for the “Servant of the People” party, and 5,5% for the Shariy Party. The rating of other political forces is below 3%. About 8% have not decided.
• 80% of respondents do not mind the current mayor being elected to this position again. Only 14% spoke about the need to elect a new person.
• Among mayoral candidates, Vadym Boichenko is the leader with 72,4% among those who intend to vote and have decided. 11,9% are ready to support Volodymyr Klymenko, 4,1% Artur Androshchuk, and 3,0% Maksym Borodin. The ratings of other candidates are below 2%. About 7% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.

• The results of the second wave of the survey conducted by Rating Group on September 19–22 showed that respondents continue to have contrasting feelings when assessing the situation in their own cities and in the country as a whole. Thus, 58% of respondents said they feel hope when thinking about the local situation, while 38% feel disappointment. In contrast, when it comes to the situation in the country, the picture is reversed: 59% feel disappointment and 37% feel hope.
• Despite this, 77% of respondents want their children and grandchildren to live in Ukraine, while only 16% hold the opposite view. As for living in their own city or village, 61% would like their descendants to continue living in the same locality, while about a third would not. Interestingly, residents of villages are relatively more likely to support the idea that the next generation should remain in Ukraine, yet they are also relatively more inclined to want their children and grandchildren to change their place of residence. In contrast, the situation in regional centers is largely the opposite.
• Positive expectations from local elections are gradually increasing. One third of respondents, compared to one quarter previously, have hope for positive changes in their cities and villages after October 25. Half believe that nothing will change, and only 7% expect the situation to worsen.
• 55% of respondents stated that they would definitely take part in the local elections. 21% are undecided (50/50), another 8% may take part, and 15% indicated that participation is unlikely. A relatively higher readiness to participate in elections is observed among the oldest age groups, where about 70% say they will come to the polls. Among young people aged 18–29, only about one third say they will vote. In all age groups except the oldest, there is a gradual decline in interest in participating in voting.
• A possible worsening of the coronavirus situation has a negative impact on voter activity. Under such conditions, only 45% declare their readiness to take part in elections. 23% are undecided (50/50), 10% report possible participation, and 21% say participation is unlikely. Modeling such a scenario affects readiness to vote across all age groups.
• According to the aggregated party rating in local elections, five parties pass the notional 5% threshold. Servant of the People has 15.6% among those who have decided and intend to vote, Opposition Platform – For Life has 11.5%, European Solidarity 11.0%, Batkivshchyna 8.0%, and For the Future 5.9%. Over the past week, the first four parties in this group, all parliamentary parties, have jointly lost nearly 1.5%.
• The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko is supported by 4.4%. UDAR of Vitalii Klychko is supported by 3.4%, Svoboda by 3.3%, the Shariy party by 3.0%, Holos by 2.7%, Our Land and Victory of Palchevskyi by 2.4% each, the Proposition party by 2.1%, Strength and Honor by 1.5%, and Samopomich by 1.2%. The combined rating of other parties participating in the local elections and included in the survey is 21.8%.
• When comparing levels of trust, 35% said they trust local authorities more, while 17% trust central authorities more. Another 17% trust authorities at both levels, while about one quarter do not trust either.
• 55% believe that local authorities are closer to people than central authorities, while only 9% think the opposite. There are relatively more people who see local authorities as closer to citizens among village residents.
• In terms of professionalism, 31% of respondents give preference to local authorities, while 22% favor central authorities. 18% consider both levels of government to be professional, and 19% consider neither to be so. Local authorities are more often seen as professional in regional centers.
• When it comes to honesty, a relative majority of respondents, 33%, do not give preference to either level of government. 27% consider local authorities to be more honest, only 13% consider central authorities to be more honest, and 15% believe both levels are honest.
• 39% believe that due to decentralization the situation in their locality has improved, 36% think it has not changed, and only 16% have seen deterioration. Half of respondents do not see a threat of the country splitting as a result of decentralization, while about one third hold the opposite view. The latter are relatively more common among older respondents and village residents.
• Respondents believe that control over the activities of newly elected local authorities should be exercised by citizens themselves, as stated by 50%. Other institutions, such as civil society organizations, central and local authorities, and law enforcement agencies, are trusted less in this matter, with support ranging from 5% to 14%.
• A significant share of respondents are also willing to take part in the political and civic life of their region, at 45%, but not as deputies of local councils. Instead, they prefer participation through elections, delegating authority to others.
• Only 13% of respondents would like to be deputies of a local council, 9% members of parliament, 7% heads of a city or village, and 5% president of the country.
• At the same time, citizens want to elect not only deputies or mayors, but also the head of the oblast, supported by 83%, local judges, supported by 71%, and prosecutors, supported by 68%. 57% support the idea of creating a municipal police force subordinate to local authorities, while 30% are opposed.