News and Press releases

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group between 18–20 September 2020 among residents of Chernivtsi show that respondents assess the situation in the city and in Ukraine with equal pessimism. Only 12% of respondents say that affairs in the city are moving in the right direction, while 77% believe the opposite. Regarding Ukraine as a whole, only 16% consider the country’s development to be moving in the right direction, whereas 70% say it is moving in the wrong direction.
• A total of 65% of respondents stated that they will definitely take part in the local elections. Another 15% are undecided (50/50), 4% say they might participate, and 16% say that participation is unlikely.
• In the ranking of political forces in the elections to the Chernivtsi City Council, the leading positions are held by Servant of the People with 14.2% among those who have decided and intend to vote, Ridne Misto with 12.2%, Yedyna Alternatyva with 10.7%, and the Chernivtsi Residents party with 10.6%. European Solidarity is supported by 9.0%, Proposition by 8.2%, Batkivshchyna by 7.0%, Opposition Platform – For Life by 4.7%, and Holos by 3.0%. The ratings of other political forces are below 3%, while around 9% of respondents remain undecided. Over time, support has increased for Ridne Misto, the Chernivtsi Residents party, Proposition, and Yedyna Alternatyva, while Servant of the People and Batkivshchyna have lost support.
• Among mayoral candidates, the leading positions are held by Vitalii Mykhailishyn (Ridne Misto) with 22.1% among those who have decided and intend to vote, and Oleksii Kaspruk (Proposition) with 18.9%. Another 15.0% are ready to vote for Mykola Fedoruk (Chernivtsi Residents party), 11.0% for Roman Klichuk (Yedyna Alternatyva), and 10.2% for Vitalii Druhanovskyi (Servant of the People). The ratings of other candidates are below 5%. Around 14–15% of respondents remain undecided. Over the course of the month, support has increased for V. Mykhailishyn, R. Klichuk, and V. Druhanovskyi.
• Second-round modeling produced the following results. In a matchup between V. Druhanovskyi and O. Kaspruk, Kaspruk would narrowly win with 35% versus 30%. In a contest between O. Kaspruk and M. Fedoruk, the candidate from the Chernivtsi Residents party would prevail with 39% versus 29%. In a matchup between V. Druhanovskyi and R. Klichuk, the candidate from Yedyna Alternatyva would win with 34% versus 22%. In a contest between R. Klichuk and M. Fedoruk, Fedoruk would win with 39% versus 31%. In a matchup between R. Klichuk and O. Kaspruk, there is currently no clear winner, with 35% versus 33% in favor of the Yedyna Alternatyva candidate.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group between 1–13 September among residents of Vinnytsia region show that people in the region assess the local situation significantly more positively than the overall situation in the country. Only 13% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 69% hold the opposite view. Assessments of the situation in the oblast are more optimistic: 33% believe that affairs in the region are moving in the right direction, while 43% believe they are moving in the wrong direction. Evaluations at the local level are even more positive, with 44% saying that the situation in their cities or villages is developing in the right direction and 43% expressing the opposite opinion.
• Among respondents, feelings of disappointment prevail at 38%. At the same time, 28% report feeling hope, 13% interest, 11% joy, and around 8–9% indifference, sadness, anger, or confusion.
• Volodymyr Groysman leads the trust ranking among national politicians. He is trusted by 61% of respondents and not trusted by 31%. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trusted by 31% and not trusted by 61%. Petro Poroshenko is trusted by 21% and not trusted by 72%. Yuliya Tymoshenko is trusted by 19% and not trusted by 74%. Ihor Smeshko is trusted by 16%, not trusted by 43%, and 33% say they do not know him. Yuriy Boyko is trusted by 14%, not trusted by 55%, and 21% say they do not know him.
• Regarding the performance of public authorities, 25% are satisfied with the work of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while 65% are dissatisfied. The work of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is approved by 11% and disapproved by 62%, while 27% could not assess it. Only 8% are satisfied with the work of the Verkhovna Rada, while 81% are dissatisfied.
• A total of 67% of respondents stated that they will definitely take part in the local elections. Another 14% are undecided (50/50), 5% say they might participate, and 12% say participation is unlikely. A relatively higher readiness to vote is observed among older respondents and residents of rural areas.
• In the ranking of political forces in the elections to the oblast council, the Ukrainian Strategy party is in the lead, supported by 33.2% of those who have decided and intend to vote. This is followed by Servant of the People with 15.8%, Batkivshchyna with 10.8%, European Solidarity with 10.7%, Opposition Platform – For Life with 6.0%, the Radical Party with 4.6%, the Vinnytsians party with 4.4%, and Strength and Honor with 3.4%. The ratings of other parties are below 3%, while around 20% of respondents remain undecided.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group between 11 and 17 September among residents of Kyiv Oblast showed that 35% of respondents frequently follow political news in Ukraine. Another 25% do so occasionally, 22% rarely, and 18% do not follow politics at all. Political developments within the oblast are followed frequently by 28% of respondents, occasionally by 28%, rarely by 24%, and not at all by 20%. A relatively higher level of interest in political news is observed among older respondents and urban residents.
• According to the survey, 58% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, while about a quarter are undecided about participation. Another 19% consider it unlikely that they will vote. Electoral mobilisation is higher among older respondents and women.
• The Servant of the People party leads the rating of political parties for the Kyiv Oblast Council, supported by 25.4% of those who have decided and intend to vote. Among decided voters, 14.5% plan to vote for Batkivshchyna, 12.2% for European Solidarity, 7.9% for the Opposition Platform – For Life, 6.0% for For the Future, 5.6% for UDAR, 5.2% for the Radical Party, 3.9% for Victory of Palchevskyi, and 3.5% for Holos. Support for other political forces is below 3%. Between 21% and 24% of respondents remain undecided.

• The results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group during 1–13 September among residents of Vinnytsia showed that 76% of respondents are satisfied with the performance of the mayor, while only 14% are dissatisfied. The work of the city council is viewed positively by 64% of respondents, 19% are dissatisfied, and 17% were unable to assess its performance.
• Regarding national authorities, 22% of respondents are satisfied with the performance of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, while 67% are dissatisfied. The work of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is approved by 11% and disapproved by 63%, with 25% unable to assess it. Only 6% of respondents are satisfied with the work of the Verkhovna Rada, while 80% are dissatisfied.
• In the party ratings for the Vinnytsia City Council, the Ukrainian Strategy party leads with 51.2% among those who have decided and intend to vote. European Solidarity is supported by 11.1%, Servant of the People by 10.3%, Opposition Platform – For Life by 4.7%, Batkivshchyna by 4.6%, the Vinnytsians party by 4.2%, and Strength and Honor by 3.2%. The ratings of other political forces are below 3%, while about 14–15% of respondents remain undecided.
• Among candidates for mayor of Vinnytsia, Serhii Morhunov is the clear leader, with 72.9% support among those who have decided and intend to vote. Other candidates have significantly lower support: Serhii Borzov has 5.8%, Viktor Broniuk 4.8%, Serhii Kudlaienko 3.8%, and Volodymyr Prodyvus 3.0%. The support for other candidates is below 3%, and about 11% of respondents remain undecided.
• Modeling of a potential second round of mayoral elections shows that if Serhii Morhunov advances to the runoff against other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win in all tested pairings. Against Serhii Borzov, the result would be 77% versus 9%, against Viktor Broniuk 76% versus 10%, against Andrii Hyzhko 78% versus 7%, and against Serhii Kudlaienko 78% versus 8%.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group from 12 to 15 September 2020 showed that respondents experience contrasting emotions when assessing the situation in their own cities and in the country as a whole. Thus, 56% of respondents stated that they feel hope when thinking about the local situation, while 41% at the same time feel disappointment. In contrast, when it comes to the situation in the country, 61% feel disappointment and 35% feel hope. A relatively higher share of those who feel hope in both cases is observed among younger respondents and residents of regional centers.
• Only 35% of respondents know the exact date of the local elections in Ukraine. At the same time, 43% do not know at all when the elections will take place, 19% know that they will be held sometime in October but do not know the exact date, and another 3% named other dates. Knowledge of the election date is mainly characteristic of older respondents.
• A total of 69% of respondents do not know under which electoral system the local elections on 25 October 2020 will be held. Only 13% confidently stated that they know how the voting will take place, while 18% reported partial knowledge. A relatively higher level of awareness of the electoral system is demonstrated by older respondents. Among the youngest age group (18–29 years), almost 80% do not know anything about the electoral system.
• According to the survey, 57% of respondents stated that they will definitely take part in the local elections. Another 19% are undecided (50/50), 9% said they might take part, and 15% indicated that participation is unlikely. A relatively higher readiness to participate in the elections is shown by older age groups, women, and respondents with a higher level of awareness of the election date and system.
• The study presents an aggregated rating of parties in the local elections, calculated as the sum of all political parties’ results in elections to regional councils in each oblast, and to the city council in Kyiv. Respondents chose from a list that was unique for each regional council. In total, 65 different parties were included in the aggregated rating, the vast majority of which are local parties running in one or several regional councils.
• According to the aggregated party rating in the local elections, the Servant of the People party is supported by 16% of those who have decided and intend to vote in elections to regional councils. The Opposition Platform – For Life party is supported by 11.9%, European Solidarity by 11.3%, Batkivshchyna by 8.2%, Za Maibutnie by 5.8%, the Radical Party by 4.7%, UDAR led by Vitalii Klitschko by 3.7%, Svoboda by 3.3%, the Sharii Party by 2.8%, Holos by 2.2%, Propozytsiya and Palchevskyi’s Victory by 2.1% each, Nash Krai by 2.0%, Syla i Chest 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 21.2%.
• While in elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the combined rating of the five main parties currently represented in parliament amounts to 72%, in local elections their aggregated figure is 50%. Compared to parliamentary ratings, noticeable electoral losses at the local level are observed for the Servant of the People party, with 26% at the parliamentary level versus 16% at the local level, the Opposition Platform – For Life with 17% versus 12%, European Solidarity with 16% versus 11%, Holos with 4% versus 2%, and Syla i Chest with 4% versus 2%. At the same time, growth is observed for parties such as Za Maibutnie, UDAR, and Propozytsiya.
• When assessing the areas in which local authorities have achieved the greatest success, respondents most often mentioned roads and sidewalks at 54% and parks and public squares at 36%. Improvements in public transport were mentioned by only 12%, healthcare by 9%, education and housing and utilities by 7% each, and environmental issues by 5%.
• At the same time, when speaking about the main priorities in the work of local authorities, respondents most frequently mentioned healthcare at 58%, the economy and job creation at 33%, education at 27%, and the fight against corruption at 23%.
• A total of 52% expect minor falsifications in the local elections on 25 October 2020. Another 22% believe that falsifications will be significant, while 20% do not expect them at all. Compared to the presidential elections in 2019, expectations of electoral fraud have significantly decreased.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during September 11–15 among residents of Mykolaiv region showed that 41% of respondents frequently follow political news in Ukraine. 23% do so occasionally, 20% rarely, and 16% are not interested in politics at all. Political developments in the oblast are followed frequently by 28%, occasionally by 27%, rarely by 26%, and not followed at all by 20%. A relatively higher level of interest in political news is observed among older respondents and residents of the oblast center.
• 59% of respondents stated that they would definitely take part in the local elections. 19% are undecided (50/50), another 7% may take part, and 14% indicated that participation is unlikely. A relatively higher willingness to participate in elections is demonstrated by older age groups and women.
• In the rating of political forces in the elections to the oblast council, the leading party is Servant of the People, which is supported by 24.6% of those who have decided and intend to come to the polls. 17.5% are ready to support the Opposition Platform – For Life party. 7.4% support European Solidarity, 7.1% support the Mykolaiv Residents party, 6.6% each support the For the Future party and the Our Land party, 6.2% support the Batkivshchyna party, 5.8% support the Shariy party, 5.3% support the Radical Party, and 4.4% support the Proposition party. The ratings of other forces are below 3%. Those who are undecided account for 21–23%. 6.8% of respondents stated that they would not vote.
• The party ratings for the Mykolaiv City Council are led by Servant of the People and the Proposition party, supported by 21.9% and 21.5% respectively among those who have decided and intend to come to the polls. The Opposition Platform – For Life party is supported by 17.4%, the Mykolaiv Residents party by 8.5%, the For the Future party by 8.4%, European Solidarity and the Shariy party by 6.9% each, and the Victory of Palchevskyi party by 3.3%. The ratings of other political forces are below 2%. About 11% have not decided on their choice.
• Among candidates for Mayor of Mykolaiv, the leader is Oleksandr Sienkevych (Proposition), who is supported by 30.5% of those who have decided and intend to take part in the elections. The ratings of other candidates are significantly lower: Tetiana Dombrovska (Servant of the People) – 16.4%, Vladyslav Chaika (Opposition Platform – For Life) – 12.6%, Artem Illiuk (self-nominated) – 10.8%, Yurii Granaturov (For the Future) – 8.6%, Ihor Diatlov (Mykolaiv Residents) – 8.5%, and Tetiana Kravchuk (Shariy party) – 3.9%. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. Those who are undecided account for about 10%.
  

• The results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group during 18–25 August among residents of Kropyvnytskyi showed that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the overall situation in the country. Thus, only 20% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 65% hold the opposite view. At the same time, 49% of city residents believe that affairs in the city are moving in the right direction, while 36% think otherwise.
• 41% of respondents believe that today the country most needs stability, 34% believe the country needs gradual changes, and 23% support rapid changes in the state.
• 61% are satisfied with the work of the mayor, while 27% hold the opposite view. 49% are satisfied with the work of the city council, while 33% are dissatisfied.
• 68% are satisfied with the operation of public transport, while 24% are dissatisfied. 37% are satisfied with educational institutions, 36% are dissatisfied, and 27% were unable to assess. 36% are satisfied with the work of the police, while 45% are dissatisfied. 30% are satisfied with the work of municipal enterprises of the city (housing services, landscaping, lighting, etc.), while 65% of respondents are dissatisfied. The greatest dissatisfaction among city residents concerns the work of medical institutions: 76% of respondents gave negative assessments of their activities, while 18% are satisfied.
• 63% noted that during the term of the current mayor the situation in the city has improved, 30% believe it has not changed, and only 3% have seen deterioration.
• 59% of respondents are not opposed to the current mayor being re-elected to this position. 32% spoke about the need to elect a new person.
• 83% expressed definite readiness to take part in local elections. Electoral mobilization is higher among older residents.
• In the rating for the Kropyvnytskyi City Council, the “Proposition” party is leading with a rating of 29.4% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. Next is the “Perspektyva Mista” party, which is supported by 14.9%, followed by the “Servant of the People” party with 14.6%, the “Batkivshchyna” party with 11.8%, “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 8.7%, the “European Solidarity” party with 5.0%, the Radical Party with 4.7%, and the “For the Future” party with 4.1%. The rating of other political forces is below 2%. About 12% have not decided.
• Among mayoral candidates, Andrii Raikovych is the leader with 47.4% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. 17.8% are ready to support Artem Stryzhakov, 8.6% Anatolii Larin, 9.2% Oleksandr Tsertii, 8.5% Olha Kovalova-Alokili, and 4.8% Oleksandr Horbunov. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. About 10% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.

• According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on 3–6 September 2020, 68% of respondents believe that affairs in Ukraine are moving in the wrong direction, while 18% assess the direction of development as correct.
• 63% of respondents are convinced that Ukraine’s economic situation over the past six months has rather deteriorated. Only 7% have seen an improvement, while 26% did not feel any changes. 49% of respondents spoke about a deterioration in the economic situation of their own family. Only 6% stated that their financial situation had improved, and 44% believe that nothing has changed.
• Assessing the near future, 32% do not expect any changes in the country’s economic situation over the next six months, 43% expect deterioration, while 15% expect improvement.
• 57% are convinced that the main reason why an economic crisis may occur this autumn is the incompetence of the authorities. 26% see the cause in the worsening of the coronavirus epidemic, and 8% in the continuation of the war in Donbas.
• 45% of respondents believe that the measures introduced by the authorities to combat coronavirus are optimal. 23% consider them too mild, while 18% consider them too strict. It is characteristic that since April the number of those who believe that anti-epidemic measures are too mild has been increasing, while at the same time the number of those who consider the measures too strict has also been growing.
• 61%, when assessing the risks from the epidemic, say that they fear the economic consequences of this crisis more than the disease itself. On the other hand, 29% are more afraid of the illness.
• 35% of respondents are satisfied with the activities of President V. Zelenskyy, while 57% are dissatisfied. 23% are satisfied with the activities of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada D. Razumkov, 55% are dissatisfied, and 23% could not assess. Only 14% are satisfied with the work of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal, while 59% are dissatisfied and 27% could not assess. Among central government bodies, respondents are most dissatisfied with the work of the Government (73%) and the Verkhovna Rada (76%).
• Among security agencies, respondents assessed the army most favorably: 51% are satisfied and 32% are dissatisfied. 33% positively assessed the work of the National Guard, while 43% hold the opposite view and 25% could not assess. Assessments of other law enforcement agencies are somewhat worse. Thus, 26% are satisfied with the work of the police and 63% are dissatisfied. 23% are satisfied with the activities of the Security Service of Ukraine, 50% are dissatisfied, and 27% could not assess. 20% are satisfied with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 63% are dissatisfied, and 17% could not assess. 13% are satisfied with the Prosecutor General’s Office, 64% are dissatisfied, and 24% could not assess. Only 11% are satisfied with the activities of the courts, while 69% are dissatisfied and 20% could not assess. Respondents are least satisfied with the activities of anti-corruption bodies — NABU, NACP, and SAP. Only 7–10% of respondents spoke favorably about their work, while more than 60% held the opposite opinion.
• Assessing the influence of key politicians and heads of institutions on government ratings, respondents relatively better evaluated the work of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada D. Razumkov. 25% believe that his activities positively affect the popularity of the current governing team, while the same share holds the opposite opinion. 18% believe that his work has no impact on these indicators, and 32% could not answer at all.
• Regarding other key politicians, respondents’ opinions are as follows. 13% believe that the activities of Prime Minister D. Shmyhal positively affect government ratings, while 32% hold the opposite view. 13% believe that the activities of Minister of Internal Affairs A. Avakov have a positive impact, while 41% think otherwise. 10% believe that the activities of the Head of the Presidential Office A. Yermak positively affect government ratings, while 32% think the opposite. 8% believe that the activities of the head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction D. Arakhamia have a positive impact, while 28% hold the opposite view. Only 6% believe that the activities of Prosecutor General I. Venediktova and NABU Director A. Sytnyk positively affect government ratings, while about one third hold the opposite opinion.
• In the presidential rating, the leader is V. Zelenskyy, whom 29% of those who have decided and intend to participate in voting are ready to support. 15.5% would vote for Y. Boyko, 14% for P. Poroshenko, 9.3% for Y. Tymoshenko, 6.4% for I. Smeshko, and 3.6% each for O. Lyashko, S. Prytula, and V. Groysman. The rating of other candidates is below 3%. About 14% have not decided.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group during 10–15 September among residents of Cherkasy region showed that 43% of respondents frequently follow political news in Ukraine. 25% do so occasionally, 19% rarely, and only 13% are not interested in politics at all. Political developments in the oblast are frequently followed by 28%, occasionally by 31%, rarely by 24%, and not followed at all by 17%. A relatively higher level of interest in political news is observed among older respondents and residents of the oblast center.
• 67% stated that they will definitely take part in the local elections, about 21% hesitate whether to participate, and 11% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is higher among older people and women.
• The leaders in the party rating for the oblast council are the party “For the Future”, which is supported by 21.5% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice, and the party “Servant of the People” with 20.5%. 12.1% intend to vote for the “Batkivshchyna” party, 9.3% for “European Solidarity”, 8.7% for the “Cherkashchany” party, and 6.1% for the Radical Party. At the threshold of passing the electoral barrier is the party “Opposition Platform – For Life” with a rating of 4.9%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. Those who have not decided make up 18–19%.
• In the rating for the Cherkasy City Council, the party “For the Future” leads with 32.9% among those who will vote and have decided. Next are “Servant of the People” with 13.3%, “Holos” with 10.9%, “European Solidarity” with 10.7%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8.2%, “National Corps” with 5.8%, “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 5.5%, and the “Cherkashchany” association with 3.9%. The ratings of other political forces are below 3%. About 9% have not decided.
• Among mayoral candidates, the leader is Anatolii Bondarenko from the “For the Future” party with 56.5% among those who will vote and have decided. 12.3% are ready to support Vitalii Ilchenko from “Servant of the People”, 9.9% Viktor Yevpak from “Holos”, 6.2% Serhii Kudaktin from “European Solidarity”, and 5.5% Dmytro Kukharchuk from the “National Corps”. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. About 12% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.

• The results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group during 13–17 August among residents of Zhytomyr showed that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the overall situation in the country. Thus, only 21% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 66% hold the opposite view. At the same time, 45% of city residents believe that affairs in the city are moving in the right direction, while 43% think otherwise.
• 35% of respondents believe that today the country most needs stability, 32% believe the country needs gradual changes, and 29% support rapid changes in the state.
• 64% are satisfied with the work of the mayor, while 28% hold the opposite view. 43% are satisfied with the work of the city council, while 38% are dissatisfied.
• 46% are satisfied with the operation of public transport, while 44% are dissatisfied. 38% are satisfied with educational institutions, the same share are dissatisfied, and 24% were unable to assess. 26% are satisfied with the work of the police, while 56% are dissatisfied. The greatest dissatisfaction among residents concerns the work of municipal enterprises (housing services, landscaping, lighting, etc.) and medical institutions. About 70% of respondents gave negative assessments of their activities. About 20% are satisfied.
• 67% noted that during the term of the current mayor the situation in the city has improved, 24% believe it has not changed, and only 6% have seen deterioration.
• 68% are not opposed to the current mayor being re-elected to this position. 26% spoke about the need to elect a new person.
• 78% expressed definite readiness to take part in local elections. Electoral mobilization is higher among older residents.
• In the rating for the Zhytomyr City Council, the “Proposition” party is leading with a rating of 39.7% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. Next is the “Servant of the People” party, which is supported by 14.5%, followed by “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 10.5%, the “Batkivshchyna” party with 9.3%, “European Solidarity” with 7.7%, and the Radical Party with 4.7%. The rating of other political forces is below 3%. About 12% have not decided.
• Among mayoral candidates, Serhii Sukhomlyn is the leader with 64.0% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. 6.9% are ready to support Viktor Yevdokymov, 6.1% Olena Rozenblat, 5.9% Nataliia Leonchenko, and 4.2% Liudmyla Zubko. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. About 10% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during September 10–14 among residents of the Volyn region showed that 41% of respondents often follow political news in Ukraine. 26% do so sometimes, 22% rarely, and only 12% are not interested in politics at all. Political events in the region are often followed by 30%, sometimes by 30%, rarely by 27%, and 13% are not interested at all. A relatively higher level of interest in political news is observed among older respondents, men, and residents of the regional center.
• 69% said that they will definitely take part in the local elections, about 20% are hesitant about whether to participate, and 10% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is higher among the older population.
• The leader in the party rating for the regional council is the party “For the Future,” which is supported by 37.8% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. 12% intend to vote for the “Servant of the People” party, 11.7% for the “European Solidarity” party, and 9.9% for the “Batkivshchyna” party. At the threshold of passing the barrier are the Radical Party with a rating of 5.4% and “Svoboda” with 4.3%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. About 18% have not decided on their choice.
• In the rating for the city council, the party “For the Future” is leading with a rating of 30.4% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. Next is “European Solidarity,” supported by 14.7%, the civic movement “Svidomi” with 13.8%, the “Servant of the People” party with 9.1%, “Svoboda” with 6.4%, and “Batkivshchyna” with 6.2%. The ratings of other political forces are below 4%. About 13% have not decided.
• Among mayoral candidates, the leader is Ihor Polishchuk from the party “For the Future,” with 39.5% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. 10.7% are ready to support Roman Bondaruk from the “Servant of the People” party, 10.5% Yuliia Vusenko from the “European Solidarity” party, 9.9% Bohdan Shyba from the “Holos” party, and 9.1% Alla Natochii from the “Svidomi” movement. 4.9% intend to support Mykola Fedyk from the “Svoboda” party, and 4.5% Iryna Chebeliuk from the “Batkivshchyna” party. About 18–19% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group during 10–14 September among residents of the Ivano-Frankivsk region showed that 30% of respondents often follow political news in Ukraine. Another 30% do so occasionally, 23% rarely, and only 16% do not follow politics at all. Political developments in the region are often followed by 23%, occasionally by 29%, rarely by 29%, and not followed at all by 18%. A relatively higher level of interest in political news is observed among older respondents and residents of the regional center.
• 61% of respondents said that they will definitely take part in the local elections, while about a quarter hesitate whether to participate, and 14% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is higher among older respondents, women, and residents of Ivano-Frankivsk.
• The leaders in the party ratings for the regional council are the Svoboda party and the For the Future party, which are supported by 22.0% and 19.2% respectively (among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice). Among decided voters, 14.7% intend to vote for the Batkivshchyna party, 12.3% for the Servant of the People party, and 11.6% for the European Solidarity party. Close to the electoral threshold is the Radical Party with a rating of 4.4%. The ratings of other political forces are below 4%. About a quarter of respondents have not yet decided on their choice.

• The results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group during 10–14 September among residents of the Zaporizhzhia region showed that 40% of respondents often follow political news in Ukraine. 25% do so occasionally, 17% rarely, and 18% are not interested in politics at all. Political events in the region are followed often by 26%, occasionally by 27%, rarely by 26%, and not followed at all by 20%. A relatively higher level of interest in political news is observed among older respondents, men, and residents of the regional center.
• 67% of respondents stated that they will definitely take part in the local elections. 13% are undecided (50/50), another 6% may take part. 14% indicated that participation in the elections is unlikely. A relatively higher readiness to participate in the elections is demonstrated by older age groups, women, and residents of the regional center.
• In the rating of political forces in elections to the regional council, the leaders are the parties “Opposition Platform – For Life” and “Servant of the People”, which are each supported by 21.7% among those who have decided and intend to vote. 17.4% are ready to support V. Buriak’s party “Yednannia”, 7.9% the party “European Solidarity”, 7.0% each the Shariy Party and the party “Batkivshchyna”, and 3.6% the party “For the Future”. The rating of other forces is below 3%. The share of undecided respondents is 16–17%. 7.4% of respondents do not intend to vote.
• The rating of parties to the Zaporizhzhia city council is headed by V. Buriak’s party “Yednannia” with 32.7% among those who have decided and intend to vote. The party “Servant of the People” is supported by 16.8%, the party “Opposition Platform – For Life” by 13.5%, the party “European Solidarity” by 9.8%, the Shariy Party by 7.5%, the party “Batkivshchyna” by 6.1%, and the party “Victory of Palchevskyi” by 3.6%. The ratings of other political forces are below 3%. 12–13% have not decided on their choice.
• Among candidates for mayor of Zaporizhzhia, the leader is Volodymyr Buriak, who is supported by 56.0% of those who have decided and intend to take part in the elections. The ratings of other candidates are significantly lower: 10.7% would vote for Vitalii Tyshechko (Servant of the People), 8.7% for Volodymyr Kaltsev (Opposition Platform – For Life), 7.6% for Valerii Prozapas (European Solidarity), and 5.8% for Vitalina Yakovlieva (Shariy Party). The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About 13% have not decided whom they will vote for.
  

• Results of the survey conducted by the Rating Group during 4–9 September among Kyiv residents showed that 49% of respondents consider the military conflict in Eastern Ukraine to be the most serious nationwide problem. Every fourth to fifth respondent is convinced that the most important problems for the state are the lack of jobs, industrial decline, bribery and corruption in government, low wages and pensions, and the coronavirus epidemic.
• In the ranking of problems at the personal level, the leading issues are the military conflict in the east of the country and low wages and pensions (28–30% each). Bribery and corruption in government, the inability to receive quality medical care, the coronavirus epidemic, rising utility tariffs, and government incompetence personally concern between 16% and 19% of respondents.
• The cost of utility services is the problem respondents consider the most relevant for Kyiv (42%). Street congestion, the inadequate level of healthcare, and illegal construction concern every third Kyiv resident surveyed. Poor quality of municipal services, the lack of metro access in new districts of the city, and poor road conditions concern every fourth respondent.
• 57% are satisfied with the activities of Mayor Vitalii Klychko, while 37% are not satisfied. At the same time, 37% are satisfied with the activities of the Kyiv City Council, 51% are not satisfied, and 21% found it difficult to assess.
• 49% are satisfied with Kyiv’s public transport, while 39% are not. 36% are satisfied with educational institutions, 39% are not satisfied, and 26% could not assess. 24% are satisfied with the activities of the police, while 51% are not satisfied, and 24% could not assess. Kyiv residents are most dissatisfied with the activities of municipal services in the capital (65%) and medical institutions (67%).
• In the ranking of political parties for the elections to the city council, the UDAR party is in the lead, supported by 23.6% of those who have decided and intend to vote. The Servant of the People party is supported by 13.6% of respondents, European Solidarity by 13.1%, Holos by 8.2%, Opposition Platform – For Life by 7.4%, Batkivshchyna by 7.3%, Peremoha Palchevskoho by 3.9%, the Shariy Party by 3.7%, and the Strength and Honor party by 3.4%. The ratings of other parties are below 3%. Around 12% have not decided.
• Among mayoral candidates, the leader of the rating is Vitalii Klychko, who is ready to be supported by 43.6% of those who have decided and intend to take part in the elections. 9.8% could support S. Prytula, 6.9% I. Vereshchuk, 6.4% A. Palchevskyi, 5.8% O. Popov, 5.7% O. Kucherenko, 4.2% O. Omelchenko, and 4.0% D. Gordon. The ratings of other candidates are below 3%. Around 11% have not decided.

• According to a study by the Rating Group, 40% of respondents have a negative attitude toward the introduction of restrictive measures for organizing schooling in the new academic year. 30% view these measures positively, while 22% have a neutral attitude. There are relatively more respondents with a negative attitude toward restrictive measures among those who live with children under 17 years of age.
• At the same time, half of respondents consider the anti-quarantine rules for schools introduced by the authorities from September this year to be optimal. At the same time, a quarter consider them too strict, while 11% consider them, on the contrary, too lenient. There are relatively more respondents who consider the introduced measures to be strict among those who have preschool-aged children.
• 49% support mandatory mask wearing for students during school breaks, while 45% are against this initiative. The latter are most common among those who have preschool-aged and school-aged children.
• 72% believe that schooling this year should be conducted under the traditional system, with attendance at educational institutions. 19% support a mixed format combining traditional and distance learning, and only 5% support fully distance learning. There are relatively more supporters of innovative approaches to children’s education among respondents in the younger age group 18–29 and among city residents.
• 74% believe that the situation with the spring quarantine had a negative impact on children’s academic performance at school. 66% have similar expectations regarding schooling this year as well.
• 86% of those whose children studied at school during the quarantine this year stated that they had access to online learning. 14% did not. The main reasons that hindered online learning, according to respondents whose children did not study remotely, were lack of internet access at home at 33%, poor organization on the part of the educational institution at 15%, and lack of a computer, tablet, or mobile phone at 14%.
• 47% of respondents whose children studied online used Viber for classes, 28% used Zoom, 13% used Skype, and 11% used television lessons or Google Classroom.
• 61% stated that online classes with children were held regularly, 18% said they were both regular and irregular, and only 10% said that lessons were held mostly irregularly.

• According to the results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group during August 29 – September 3, 2020 using the CATI method (computer-assisted telephone interviews), President V. Zelenskyy leads the trust rating among key national politicians. 44% of respondents trust the Head of State, while 51% do not trust him. 24% trust Y. Boyko and 58% do not trust him, 22% trust Y. Tymoshenko and 74% do not trust her, and 22% trust P. Poroshenko while 75% do not trust him.
• The level of trust in President V. Zelenskyy (44%) is higher than that recorded during the same period of the presidential terms of P. Poroshenko (25%) and V. Yanukovych (26%).
• 56% believe that the situation at the regional level will not change after the local elections. 27% expect improvement, and only 8% expect deterioration.
• 59% stated that they will definitely take part in the local elections on October 25, 2020. 19% stated that their chances of participation are “50 to 50”, 7% said that they might come to the polling stations, and 14% assessed their participation in the local elections as unlikely. A relatively higher level of pre-election mobilization is observed among the oldest respondents.
• In the parliamentary rating, the Servant of the People party is the leader, which 25.7% of those ready to vote and who have decided on their choice are ready to support. 16.7% are ready to vote for the Opposition Platform – For Life party, 15.6% for the European Solidarity party, and 9.4% for the Batkivshchyna party. 6% of respondents would support the Radical Party, 4.3% the Holos party, 4.0% the Strength and Honor party, and 3.5% the Shariy party. The rating of other political forces is below 3%. About 14% have not decided.

Rating Group presents the results of a study on the consumption of tobacco products by the population in selected cities of Ukraine.

MAIN RESULTS:

• According to the survey conducted in Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Lviv, and Dnipro), cigarettes remain the most common first product of regular use.
• The prevalence of tobacco and nicotine product consumption in Ukraine is 33% among the adult population of the surveyed cities; 25% of respondents smoke cigarettes, 8% smoke other combustible tobacco products (such as cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookah), 7% use heated tobacco systems (IQOS, glo), 1% smoke electronic cigarettes, and only 0.3% use smokeless (chewing) tobacco.
• In most cases (88%), the first product of regular nicotine consumption is cigarettes. 5% of smokers started with other combustible tobacco products, only 0.5% had heated tobacco systems as their first product (IQOS – 0.4%, glo – 0.1%), 0.4% started with electronic cigarettes, and 0.3% began with smokeless tobacco.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group using the CATI method (computer-assisted telephone interviews) during 31 August–1 September among Kyiv residents showed that 49% of respondents often follow political news in the capital, 28% do so occasionally, and 17% rarely. Only 6% do not follow the political life of Kyiv at all.
• 34% of respondents are satisfied with the activities of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while 61% are dissatisfied. Compared to last year’s indicators, satisfaction with the work of the Head of State has deteriorated.
• 60% are satisfied with the activities of Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko, while 37% are dissatisfied. The dynamics of satisfaction with the work of the capital’s mayor show a positive trend.
• 59% believe that the situation in Kyiv during Vitalii Klychko’s tenure as mayor has rather improved. 26% state that it has not changed, and only 13% have seen a deterioration.
• Two thirds of Kyiv residents rated V. Klychko’s work in combating the coronavirus pandemic as excellent or good. At the same time, about a quarter gave negative assessments.
• 69% of respondents expressed a definite readiness to take part in the mayoral and city council elections in October 2020. The highest level of mobilization is observed among the oldest respondents.
• In the ranking of political forces in the elections to the city council, the UDAR party is the leader, with 28.6% of those who have decided and intend to vote ready to support it. European Solidarity is supported by 14.0% of respondents, Servant of the People by 10.7%, Victory of Palchevskyi by 6.9%, Opposition Platform – For Life by 6.8%, Voice by 6.5%, Batkivshchyna by 6.4%, Strength and Honor by 5.5%, and the Shariy Party by 3.8%. The ratings of other forces are below 3%. About 13% have not decided.

The survey was conducted by Rating Group on behalf of the IRI Center for Insights in Survey Research from 30 to 31 July 2020. The data were collected using the computer-assisted telephone interviewing method based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers.

The survey was conducted using a random sample that included 2,472 citizens of Ukraine aged 16 and older. The sample is representative by region, age, and gender. The statistical margin of error does not exceed 2 percent at a 95 percent confidence level, and the contact rate was 12 percent.

The survey was made possible with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The English-language version of the survey is available on the IRI website.

• The results of the survey conducted by Rating Group during 25–29 August 2020 among residents of Oleksandriia demonstrated that city residents assess the local situation significantly better than the overall situation in the country. Thus, only 16% believe that the country is moving in the right direction, while 69% hold the opposite view. At the same time, 44% of city residents believe that affairs in Oleksandriia are moving in the right direction, while 45% hold the opposite view.
• In the ranking of political forces in the elections to the city council, the leading positions are held by the party “Opposition Platform – For Life,” which is supported by 21.6% of those who have decided and intend to vote, and the party “Servant of the People” with a result of 20.6%. The party “Power of the People” is supported by 10.4% of respondents, the Radical Party by 9.8%, the party “European Solidarity” by 9.4%, the party “Batkivshchyna” by 8.0%, and the party “Proposition” by 6.7%. The ratings of other forces are below 3%. About a quarter of respondents are undecided.
• Among candidates for mayor, the leaders in the ranking are Stepan Tsapiuk, who is supported by 42.0% of those who have decided and intend to take part in the elections, and Serhii Kuzmenko, who could be supported by 41.2% of such respondents. 6.4% could support V. Dozhdzhanik, 5.3% – Yu. Shkliaruk, and 2.8% – S. Hrytsenko. The ratings of other candidates are below 2%. About 7% are undecided.