Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1174220
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 OCTOBER 2019 MALTATODAY SURVEY KURT SANSONE PEOPLE are unconvinced by the sale of Maltese passports to wealthy foreign- ers with a MaltaToday survey finding that 56.3% disagree with the Individual Investor Programme. Introduced five years ago in a storm of controversy and trumpeted as a money-making venture for the coun- try, the government has failed to con- vince people on the IIP. Asked whether they agree with the sale of Maltese citizenship to wealthy foreigners, only 33.5% agreed. As expected, the strongest disagree- ment is among people who voted for the Nationalist Party in the 2017 gen- eral election with 85.3% against. 9.8% of PN voters agree. However, there are also 31.4% of La- bour Party voters, who disagree with the passport-for-cash scheme. A ma- jority of PL voters (55.7%) agree. The survey found that the strongest disagreement with the IIP was among those aged between 18 and 35, where disagreement runs at 65.7%. Disagreement runs across Malta and Gozo except the South-Eastern re- gion where the result is neck and neck. While 43.9% of people in the south east agree, 43.7% disagree. The survey polled people on four gov- ernment decisions that were under the spotlight over the past few weeks and the results are a mixed bag. Polling took place between 26 Sep- tember and 3 October. The IIP was at the centre of contro- versy after a French TV sting record- ed one of the passport agents boast- ing about his close connections with people in power and how authorities can close an eye. The agent's licence has been suspended and all his appli- cations, past and present, are being probed. Helena Dalli and road projects get thumbs up Another issue that cropped up was the nomination of former minister Helena Dalli as Malta's next European Commissioner. The survey found that 57.4% of voters agreed with Dalli's choice, while 14.5% opposed it. A significant number (28.1%) were unable to express an opinion on Dalli's nomination, or simply did not care. Among PL voters, 82.2% agreed with the nomination, 15.5% were unsure, and 2.3% disagreed. PN voters were lukewarm about the matter. While 33.3% of PN voters agreed with Dalli's nomination, 29.4% disagreed, and 37.3% were unsure or did not care. Agreement with her nomination was higher among women (62.3%) than men (51.5%). Another government decision that came under the spotlight this summer was the policy to widen main roads and build new ones. But despite protests in Attard and Santa Luċija against planned road- works in these localities, the road- widening policy enjoys overwhelming support among the electorate. The survey found that 79.4% of peo- ple agreed with the strategy to widen main roads and build new ones, with opposition running at lowly 15.3%. Support for the policy cuts across all age groups. Agreement runs above 72% in all regions with the strongest support registering in Gozo and the South-Eastern region, with 93.3% and 90.5% respectively. No foreign teachers The fourth decision, or rather inten- tion, to come under the spotlight was the declaration that foreign supply teachers may have to be recruited to fill vacancies in State schools. The survey found that any such de- cision is opposed by the majority. The findings show that 55% disagree with the employment of foreign teachers, while 39% agree. Opposition to the suggestion is high- est among PN voters, where 67.7% disagree. But even among Labour vot- ers, disagreement runs at a high 44.3%, with a slim majority of 50.8% express- ing themselves in favour of such a deci- sion. The only region where agreement runs into a majority is Gozo with 46.5% in favour and 38.4% against. In all oth- er regions, disagreement ranges from 50% in the South-Eastern to 60% in the Northern region. Methodology The survey was carried out between Thursday 26 September and Thursday 3 October, 2019. 652 respondents opted to complete the telephone survey. Strati- fied random sampling based on gender, region and age was used to replicate the Maltese demographics. The estimated margin of error is 5% for a confidence interval of 95%. Demographic and sub- group breakdowns have a larger mar- gin of error. Majority disagree with sale of Maltese citizenship, show strong support for road widening Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 79.4% 15.3% 95.1% 59.8% 31.4% 8.8% 80.0% 13.8% 81.0% 14.2% 78.2% 16.3% 80.7% 14.2% 83.1% 11.4% 79.7% 17.6% 74.1% 18.0% 7.9% 77.2% 15.3% 7.5% 82.8% 11.7% 84.3% 11.8% 69.2% 24.9% 93.3% 6.7% 74.2% 22.1% 77.7% 14.0% 8.3% 90.5% 7.5% 79.1% 16.6% 72.3% 20.2% 7.5% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with the decision to widen main roads and build new ones? Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 57.4% 14.5% 28.1% 82.2% 15.5% 33.3% 29.4% 37.3% 27.7% 18.5% 53.8% 51.5% 14.4% 34.1% 62.3% 14.6% 23.1% 41.8% 12.0% 46.1% 55.1% 13.3% 31.6% 68.2% 11.3% 20.4% 65.1% 22.0% 12.9% 63.8% 20.9% 15.3% 50.6% 14.2% 35.2% 63.4% 12.8% 23.8% 46.3% 13.0% 40.7% 67.3% 6.7% 26.0% 54.7% 17.5% 27.8% 50.4% 14.4% 35.2% 68.7% 12.2% 19.1% 56.4% 16.1% 27.5% 59.9% 14.7% 25.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with Helena Dalli's nomination for European Commissioner? Overall Voted PL in 2017 33.5% 56.3% 10.2% 55.7% 31.4% 12.9% Do you agree with sale of Maltese citizenship (sale of passports - IIP) to wealthy foreigners? South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 90.5% 7.5% 79.1% 16.6% 72.3% 20.2% 7.5% Yes No Don't know Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 57.4% 14.5% 28.1% 82.2% 15.5% 33.3% 29.4% 37.3% 27.7% 18.5% 53.8% 51.5% 14.4% 34.1% 62.3% 14.6% 23.1% 41.8% 12.0% 46.1% 55.1% 13.3% 31.6% 68.2% 11.3% 20.4% 65.1% 22.0% 12.9% 63.8% 20.9% 15.3% 50.6% 14.2% 35.2% 63.4% 12.8% 23.8% 46.3% 13.0% 40.7% 67.3% 6.7% 26.0% 54.7% 17.5% 27.8% 50.4% 14.4% 35.2% 68.7% 12.2% 19.1% 56.4% 16.1% 27.5% 59.9% 14.7% 25.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with Helena Dalli's nomination for European Commissioner? Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 33.5% 56.3% 10.2% 55.7% 31.4% 12.9% 9.8% 85.3% 15.4% 66.2% 18.5% 39.3% 53.6% 7.0% 28.7% 58.5% 12.8% 25.8% 65.7% 8.5% 36.9% 53.0% 10.1% 37.3% 55.1% 7.6% 34.6% 50.5% 14.9% 32.9% 47.6% 19.5% 27.4% 56.8% 15.8% 37.0% 56.2% 6.8% 32.1% 62.9% 32.3% 58.4% 9.2% 33.2% 60.0% 6.7% 28.5% 56.2% 15.3% 43.9% 43.7% 12.4% 39.2% 53.9% 6.9% 26.5% 67.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with sale of Maltese citizenship (sale of passports - IIP) to wealthy foreigners? Overall 39.0% 55.0% Do you agree with foreign teachers being employed to fill in vacancies in state schools? 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 68.2% 11.3% 20.4% 65.1% 22.0% 12.9% 63.8% 20.9% 15.3% 50.6% 14.2% 35.2% 63.4% 12.8% 23.8% 46.3% 13.0% 40.7% 67.3% 6.7% 26.0% 54.7% 17.5% 27.8% 50.4% 14.4% 35.2% 68.7% 12.2% 19.1% 56.4% 16.1% 27.5% 59.9% 14.7% 25.4% Yes No Don't know Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 33.5% 56.3% 10.2% 55.7% 31.4% 12.9% 9.8% 85.3% 15.4% 66.2% 18.5% 39.3% 53.6% 7.0% 28.7% 58.5% 12.8% 25.8% 65.7% 8.5% 36.9% 53.0% 10.1% 37.3% 55.1% 7.6% 34.6% 50.5% 14.9% 32.9% 47.6% 19.5% 27.4% 56.8% 15.8% 37.0% 56.2% 6.8% 32.1% 62.9% 32.3% 58.4% 9.2% 33.2% 60.0% 6.7% 28.5% 56.2% 15.3% 43.9% 43.7% 12.4% 39.2% 53.9% 6.9% 26.5% 67.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with sale of Maltese citizenship (sale of passports - IIP) to wealthy foreigners? Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 39.0% 55.0% 50.8% 44.3% 26.5% 67.6% 29.2% 60.0% 10.8% 43.3% 49.3% 7.5% 35.4% 59.8% 38.6% 57.7% 30.2% 64.6% 41.5% 50.9% 7.6% 45.1% 47.2% 7.7% 39.6% 51.9% 8.6% 34.9% 62.0% 42.5% 53.4% 34.9% 55.1% 10.0% 46.5% 38.4% 15.1% 34.2% 60.0% 42.6% 56.1% 38.4% 50.0% 11.5% 35.2% 58.6% 39.5% 54.4% Do you agree with foreign teachers being employed to fill in vacancies in state schools? Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 79.4% 15.3% 95.1% 59.8% 31.4% 8.8% 80.0% 13.8% 81.0% 14.2% 78.2% 16.3% 80.7% 14.2% 83.1% 11.4% 79.7% 17.6% 74.1% 18.0% 7.9% 77.2% 15.3% 7.5% 82.8% 11.7% 84.3% 11.8% 69.2% 24.9% 93.3% 6.7% 74.2% 22.1% 77.7% 14.0% 8.3% 90.5% 7.5% 79.1% 16.6% 72.3% 20.2% 7.5% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with the decision to widen main roads and build new ones? Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ 57.4% 14.5% 28.1% 82.2% 15.5% 33.3% 29.4% 37.3% 27.7% 18.5% 53.8% 51.5% 14.4% 34.1% 62.3% 14.6% 23.1% 41.8% 12.0% 46.1% 55.1% 13.3% 31.6% 68.2% 11.3% 20.4% 65.1% 22.0% 12.9% Do you agree with Helena Dalli's nomination for European Commissioner? 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 74.1% 18.0% 7.9% 77.2% 15.3% 7.5% 82.8% 11.7% 84.3% 11.8% 69.2% 24.9% 93.3% 6.7% 74.2% 22.1% 77.7% 14.0% 8.3% 90.5% 7.5% 79.1% 16.6% 72.3% 20.2% 7.5% Yes No Don't know Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 57.4% 14.5% 28.1% 82.2% 15.5% 33.3% 29.4% 37.3% 27.7% 18.5% 53.8% 51.5% 14.4% 34.1% 62.3% 14.6% 23.1% 41.8% 12.0% 46.1% 55.1% 13.3% 31.6% 68.2% 11.3% 20.4% 65.1% 22.0% 12.9% 63.8% 20.9% 15.3% 50.6% 14.2% 35.2% 63.4% 12.8% 23.8% 46.3% 13.0% 40.7% 67.3% 6.7% 26.0% 54.7% 17.5% 27.8% 50.4% 14.4% 35.2% 68.7% 12.2% 19.1% 56.4% 16.1% 27.5% 59.9% 14.7% 25.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with Helena Dalli's nomination for European Commissioner? Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 33.5% 56.3% 10.2% 55.7% 31.4% 12.9% 9.8% 85.3% 15.4% 66.2% 18.5% 39.3% 53.6% 7.0% 28.7% 58.5% 12.8% 25.8% 65.7% 8.5% 36.9% 53.0% 10.1% 37.3% 55.1% 7.6% 34.6% 50.5% 14.9% 32.9% 47.6% 19.5% 27.4% 56.8% 15.8% 37.0% 56.2% 6.8% 32.1% 62.9% 32.3% 58.4% 9.2% 33.2% 60.0% 6.7% 28.5% 56.2% 15.3% 43.9% 43.7% 12.4% 39.2% 53.9% 6.9% 26.5% 67.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with sale of Maltese citizenship (sale of passports - IIP) to wealthy foreigners? Do you agree with foreign teachers being employed to fill in vacancies in state schools? Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 32.9% 47.6% 19.5% 27.4% 56.8% 15.8% 37.0% 56.2% 6.8% 32.1% 62.9% 32.3% 58.4% 9.2% 33.2% 60.0% 6.7% 28.5% 56.2% 15.3% 43.9% 43.7% 12.4% 39.2% 53.9% 6.9% 26.5% 67.4% Yes No Don't know Overall Voted PL in 2017 Voted PN in 2017 Didn't vote in 2017 M F 18-35 36-50 51-65 65+ Primary Secondary Post-sec Tertiary Gozo Northern Northern Harbour South Eastern Southern Harbour Western 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 39.0% 55.0% 50.8% 44.3% 26.5% 67.6% 29.2% 60.0% 10.8% 43.3% 49.3% 7.5% 35.4% 59.8% 38.6% 57.7% 30.2% 64.6% 41.5% 50.9% 7.6% 45.1% 47.2% 7.7% 39.6% 51.9% 8.6% 34.9% 62.0% 42.5% 53.4% 34.9% 55.1% 10.0% 46.5% 38.4% 15.1% 34.2% 60.0% 42.6% 56.1% 38.4% 50.0% 11.5% 35.2% 58.6% 39.5% 54.4% Yes No Don't know Do you agree with foreign teachers being employed to fill in vacancies in state schools? Share this infographic