Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/260953
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2014 17 mt survey Manuel Mallia – most disliked by Nationalists PL voters Change PN voters Change Switchers change All Positive 70.2 -2.4 12.1 0.5 45.8 -4.2 45.3 Negative 3.3 -2.7 50 -9.4 12.5 -12.5 17.7 So-and-so 11.6 1.3 24.2 6.8 12.5 -8.3 16 Don't Know 14.9 3.9 13.7 2.1 29.2 25 21 Home affairs and national security minister Manuel Mallia is still the most disliked cabinet member among Nationalist voters, half of which judge his performance negatively even if among this category Mallia has seen a nine-point decrease in negative ratings. Mallia also sees a slight decrease in positive ratings among Labour voters and switchers. Initially he was at the forefront in defending the government's citizenship programme but subsequently this role was delegated to junior minister Owen Bonnici, who took a more prominent role in the media as the country faced a backlash from the European parliament. Overall Mallia retains the same level of approval as in October 2013. 45.3% Helena Dalli – still not known PL voters Change PN voters Change Switchers change All Positive 66.9 -0.6 13.6 -2.3 30.8 -11.5 45 Negative 1.7 0 28.8 2.7 4.2 -4.9 8 So-and-so 6.6 -6.2 24.2 1 12.5 -3.7 17 Don't Know 24.8 6.8 33.4 -1.4 52.5 20.1 30 A considerable 30% still could not judge the civil liberties, social dialogue and consumer affairs portfolio. But despite championing controversial legislation on civil unions which would allow adoption by same-sex couples, Helena Dalli has still seen a 3-point increase in positive ratings. Although she loses some points among Nationalist voters and some switchers, Dalli benefits from an increase in positive ratings among respondents who did not reveal their political allegiance. Overall only 8% of respondents deemed Dalli's performance negatively. 45.0% George Vella – 34% could not judge him PL voters Change PN voters Change Switchers change All Positive 69.4 -3.2 9.1 -1 58.3 16.6 44.7 Negative 0.8 -0.1 27.3 1.2 0 -4.2 7 So-and-so 6.6 -2.8 28.8 -1.6 8.3 -25 14.3 Don't Know 23.2 6.1 34.8 1.4 33.4 12.6 34 Labour stalwart George Vella is one of the least negatively judged ministers. Only 7% judged his performance as foreign minister negatively. But while only 42% judged his performance positively, 34% replied "don't know" when asked to assess him. He has largely escaped controversy and his integrity never questioned. But despite occupying a prestigious portfolio, the large number of respondents who could not assess his performance indicates that a large segment of the population do not perceive foreign affairs as having a direct bearing on every day life. 44.7% to junior minister Owen Bonnici, who took a more prominent role A considerable 30% still could not judge the civil liberties, social dialogue and consumer affairs portfolio. But despite championing adoption by same-sex couples, Helena Dalli has still seen a 3-point among Nationalist voters and some switchers, Dalli benefits from parliament. Overall Mallia retains the same level of approval as in Labour stalwart George Vella is one of the least negatively judged negatively. But while only 42% judged his performance positively, But despite occupying a prestigious portfolio, the large number of respondents who could not assess his performance indicates that a large segment of the population do not perceive foreign affairs Godfrey Farrugia – less liked by Labourites PL voters Change PN voters Change Switchers change All Positive 57 -9.7 18.2 11 37.5 -4.2 43.3 Negative 6.6 1.5 43.9 -12.6 20.8 0 16 So-and-so 29.8 7.6 33.3 4.3 37.5 4.2 31 Don't Know 6.6 0.6 4.6 -2.7 4.2 -0.1 9.7 Health minister Godfrey Farrugia has seen his positive rating drop by 10 points among PL voters and increasing by 11 points among PN voters. Farrugia is the second least popular Minister among Labour voters. Overall despite the persistence of problems like bed shortages in the hospital Farrugia has seen a slight improvement in his positive rating of 2 points. In January, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had ordered the removal of a tent set up outside the day care unit at Mater Dei with the approval of the health Minister. The tent had been set up to mitigate an influx of influenza patients in the winter season. Despite the difficult nature of his portfolio, Farrugia remains more popular than four other Ministers in Muscat's cabinet. 43.3% Chris Cardona – still awaiting results PL voters Change PN voters change Switchers change All Positive 66.1 2 15.2 3.6 50 8.3 43 Negative 3.3 3.3 37.9 -1.1 8.3 3.8 10.3 So-and-so 11.6 -8.1 16.7 -10.8 8.3 -37.1 20.3 Don't Know 19 2.8 30.2 8.4 33.3 25 26.4 Despite occupying the driving seat of the strategic economy ministry, Cardona still seems to lack visibility with 26% unable to judge his performance. But in an indication that he is gaining ground, his positive ratings have increased by six points in the last four months. Cardona is one of the few ministers to see an increase in popularity among all categories of voters. Still, he gets the fourth-lowest rating in the survey, although he registers a slight improvement among all categories. While only 10% described his performance negatively, 46% of respondents either could not assess his performance or deemed it 'so-and-so'. 43% Louis Grech – not much to show PL voters Change PN voters change Switchers change All Positive 66.1 -0.6 12.1 6.3 41.7 -8.3 43 Negative 0.8 -0.1 27.3 2.7 4.2 4.2 6.7 So-and-so 11.6 -2.9 28.8 -6 12.5 -4.2 16.3 Don't Know 21.5 3.6 31.8 -3 41.6 8.3 34 Deputy PM and EU affairs minister Louis Grech, whose portfolio includes the implementation of Labour's manifesto, once again emerges as the third-least positively rated minister even if his positive rating has increased by six points. But his low ranking contrasts with his key role in the electoral campaign, when he substituted Anglu Farrugia in a strategic move to neutralise the negative fallout of his predecessor's TV debate. More than a third of respondents could not express a judgement, an indication that Grech does not have many deliverables to show: significantly, 22% of Labour voters replied "don't know" when asked to assess his performance. 43% Leo Brincat – signs of recovery PL voters Change PN voters change Switchers change All Positive 61.9 0.1 13.6 5.4 41.7 4.2 42 Negative 1.7 -2.6 37.9 -0.2 4.2 -12.5 9.3 So-and-so 22.3 -1.6 30.3 -0.1 29.2 -8.3 26 Don't Know 14.1 4.1 18.2 -5.1 24.9 16.6 22.7 Leo Brincat sees his positive rating improve by six points since October, thanks to a five-point increase in positive ratings among Nationalist voters and a four-point increase among switchers. But he remains the second least popular minister in Muscat's cabinet. Leo Brincat's portfolio, which includes the environment, sustainable development and climate change, may not be the most relevant in the immediate concerns of voters. Deprived of MEPA, he has also been ineffective in giving direction to environmental protection in land use, which falls squarely under the Prime Minister. In the past months Brincat has gained some visibility by presenting a waste management plan, which enjoys cross-party consensus and which is being implemented after widespread consultation. 42.0% Anton Refalo – under less pressure PL voters Change PN voters change Switchers change All Positive 49.6 2.6 15.2 12.3 25 0 34.3 Negative 2.5 -4.3 43.9 -17 8.3 -20.9 13.3 So-and-so 14.9 4.7 18.2 2.3 25 20.8 17.3 Don't Know 33 -3 22.7 2.5 41.7 0.1 35.1 Anton Refalo remains the least popular minister overall and among Labour voting respondents in particular. But over the past four months he saw 9-point increase in positive ratings, coming in the wake of various initiatives to encourage Maltese people to take the ferry to Gozo. The October survey, in which Refalo hit rock-bottom, coincided with calls for Refalo's resignation by the Times of Malta over alleged ministerial interference in the operations of Gozo Channel. Refalo also faced questions on his ministerial declaration of assets, which included an €830,000 loan, when he only declared a joint annual income of €45,000. The increase in Refalo's positive ratings indicates that the pressure on the minister has eased off but Refalo's position as the least popular minister remains precarious. 34.3% Ministers ranked according to positive performance PL voters PN voters Switchers All Marie Louise Coleiro 84.3 40.9 66.7 67.7 Konrad Mizzi 84.3 19.7 66.6 57.6 Evarist Bartolo 77.7 28.8 45.8 57 Karmenu Vella 72.7 24.2 50 55.7 Joe Mizzi 74.4 24.2 62.5 51.7 Edward Scicluna 68.6 13.6 45.8 45.7 Manwel Mallia 70.2 12.1 45.8 45.3 Helena Dalli 66.9 13.6 30.8 45 George Vella 69.4 9.1 58.3 44.7 Godfrey Farrugia 57 18.2 37.5 43.3 Chris Cardona 66.1 15.2 50 43 Louis Grech 66.1 12.1 41.7 43 Leo Brincat 61.9 13.6 41.7 42 Anton Refalo 49.6 15.2 25 34.3 Change in ratings since October 2013 PL voters PN voters Switchers* All Marie Louise Coleiro -3.7 +13.4 -4.1 +6 Konrad Mizzi -2 +2.2 -8.4 +4.4 Evarist Bartolo +3.3 +4.1 0 +7.6 Karmenu Vella -6.8 +8.3 -12.5 +5.1 Joe Mizzi +1.8 +5.4 +12.5 +4.9 Edward Scicluna -4 -0.9 -12.5 +3.1 Manwel Mallia -2.4 +0.5 -4.2 +1.2 Helena Dalli -0.6 -2.3 -11.5 +2.7 George Vella -3.2 -1 +16.6 +2.4 Godfrey Farrugia -9.7 +11 -4.2 +2.2 Chris Cardona +2 +3.6 +8.3 +6 Louis Grech -0.6 +6.3 -8.3 +6 Leo Brincat +0.1 +5.4 +4.2 +6.2 Anton Refalo +2.6 +12.3 0 +8.6 * respondents who voted PN in 2008 and PL in 2013. Results for switchers are only indicative due to small sample size.