Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532058
JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt mt SURVEY SUNDAY • 2 FEBRUARY 2025 | maltatoday 8 Robert Abela leads Bernard Grech by nine points in Gozo GOZITAN voters have given Robert Abela a trust rating of 38%, nine points more than Bernard Grech, who scores 29%, a regional MaltaToday survey shows. Nonetheless, when Gozitan respond- ents were asked who of the two leaders they trust most, 33% opted for neither of the two main leaders. Gozo is the only region of Malta that corresponds to a single electoral dis- trict, a status that is also protected by the Constitution. The trust gap between the two lead- ers in Gozo is narrower than the gap at the national level as determined by MaltaToday's last national poll in No- vember 2024 when Abela led Grech by 15 points overall. Compared to the November nation- al poll, Grech's rating in Gozo is five points higher while Abela's is the same. Moreover, the latest regional survey shows Grech also manages to make inroads among former Labour voters in Gozo. In fact, 8% of PL voters in the 2022 general election trust Grech more than Abela compared to 4% of PN voters who trust Abela. This trend is much more pronounced in Gozo than the country as whole. MaltaToday's national survey in No- vember found that overall, only 2.5% of 2022 PL voters opted for Grech as the most trusted leader. The main reason why Abela still leads over Grech despite the PN's in- roads in Gozo is that 30% of current PN voters say they trust neither of the two leaders. In contrast, only 6.6% of current PL voters trust neither Abela nor Grech. This means that a significant chunk of PN voters would still vote for the party despite their lack of trust in Grech's leadership abilities. But the survey also suggests that La- bour is more likely to recover support among current non-voters amongst whom 20% trust Abela while only 7% trust Grech. Still, in an indication that most of these voters are not going an- ywhere, 73% say they support neither political leader. Abela stronger among men, Grech among the elderly The survey also suggests that Abela is considerably more trusted by Gozitan males than females. While Abela is trusted by 41% of males, only 35% of women trust the Prime Minister. Grech is also marginally more trusted by men. But women are significantly more likely to distrust both leaders. While 28% of male voters distrust both lead- ers, this percentage increases to 38% among female voters. In terms of age, trust in Grech in- creases with age from just 19% among 16- to 35-year-olds to 45% among 65 year olds. In contrast, Abela's trust rating peaks at 43% among those aged 36- to 50-year-olds and is stable at be- tween 35% and 36% in the other age groups. This could be an indication that this age group (36-50), which includes peo- ple at the peak of their career, believe Labour offers greater peace of mind. On the other hand, a relative major- ity of Gozitans aged under 35 years of age trust neither of the two leaders in what could indicate brewing dissatis- faction among younger voters who are also more inclined to voter for third parties. Best vision for Gozo: Majority can't choose When asked which of the two main parties has the best vision for Gozo, a staggering 52% could not provide an answer while 24% opted for Labour and 23% opted for the PN. And in another sign of greater disgruntlement among younger voters nearly two thirds of voters aged between 16 and 35 could not choose which of the two parties has the best vision for Gozo. Labour fares better than the PN in all age groups except those aged over 65 amongst which 37% think the Opposition has the best vision for the island. Among 36- to 50-year-olds, only 15% think the PN has the best vision while 23% think Labour is better in this aspect. The survey also shows that among current non-voters a staggering 94% could not choose which party has the best vision for Gozo. More Gozitans think their life is improving Despite Labour's apparent problems, more voters think that their standard of living is improving (29%) than deteriorating (23%). Nonetheless, a majority (48%) replied that their standard of living remains the same as before. Notably, the perception that the standard of living is deteriorating is strongest among 16- to 35-year-olds. In contrast older voters aged above 65 are the most likely to say that their standard of living is improving (37.5%). The perception that the standard of living is deteriorating is particularly strong among current non-voters (35%). This perception is even stronger in this category than among PN votes (33%). This suggests that disgruntlement in this category is partly triggered by financial discontent. Age Gender 2022 Voters Current voters 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0 Female Male 34.7% 27.3% 38% 40.6% 30.9% 28.5% Robert Abela Bernard Grech None Profile of Gozitan non-voters Age Gender Past vote 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0 Female Male 18.8% 21.1% All Gozo Voters 0 5 Which political party has the best vision for Gozo? Age Gender 2022 Voters Current voters 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0 Female Male 19.7% 23% 0.8% 56.4% 28.4% 22.9% 28.5% 47.5% PL PN Both None/Don't Know PL PN Both None/Don't know 0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 24% 23% 1.1% 52% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0 Female Male 30.8% 41% 4.6% 4.8% 18.8% 35.4% 35.7% 4.5% 3.3% 21.1% PL PN ADPD Others Will not vote Age Gender 2022 Voters Current voters 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0 Female Male 34.7% 27.3% 38% 40.6% 30.9% 28.5% Robert Abela Bernard Grech None Gozo Trust Barometer Profile of Gozitan non-voters Age Gender Past vote 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0 Female Male 18.8% 21.1% Robert Abela Bernard Grech None 0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 37.7% 29.1% 33.3% All Gozo Voters Which political party has the best vision for Gozo? 0 Female Male 0 5 Which political party has the best vision for Gozo? Age Gender 2022 Voters Current voters 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0 Female Male 19.7% 23% 0.8% 56.4% 28.4% 22.9% 28.5% 47.5% PL PN Both None/Don't Know In general is your standard of living improving or deteriorating? Age Gender 2022 Voters Current voters 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0 Female Male 21.6% 23.2% 55.2% 35.9% 22.4% 41.7% improving Deteriorating Same PL PN Both None/Don't know 0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 24% 23% 1.1% 52% Improving Deteriorating Same 0 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 28.8% 22.8% 48.5%