Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/439085
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 DECEMBER 2014 9 2014 in review mapped the Maltese in 2014 with a secondary (46%) or primary education (34%). A breakdown by electoral district shows strong support for the yes camp in the ninth, tenth and elev- enth districts, which lean towards the Nationalist Party. Gozo is the only district where a relative major- ity would vote no. The no camp is also strong in the fourth, fifth and sixth districts while abstention is highest in the Labour-leaning first, second and third districts. The survey shows that three quar- ters of respondents who voted PN in 2013 would vote against spring hunting while a relative majority of Labour voters (43%) would vote in favour of spring hunting. Only 35% of Labour voters sup- port the spring hunting ban. Switch- ers who voted PN in 2008 and PL in 2013 are split. The September survey showed that 60% agreed with the referendum be- ing held, only 30% disagreed. In October nearly 60% approved of the government's decision to sus- pend autumn hunting. Malta's place in the world In August a MaltaToday survey ex- plored how the Maltese view the rest of the world, finding local admiration for austerity-driven Germany and its Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Maltese also displayed open- ness towards China, with 60% ap- proving the partial sale of Enemalta to a Chinese government-owned company. The survey also showed strong dis- approval of Israeli and Russian for- eign policies. When asked to express a prefer- ence between six world leaders the Maltese preferred German Chancel- lor Angela Merkel to US President Barack Obama, Italian Prime Minis- ter Matteo Renzi and UK Prime Min- ister David Cameron. Vladimir Putin was the least liked, surpassed even by the less known Chinese President, Li Xinping. Despite the Chancellor's bad repu- tation in neighbouring Mediterra- nean nations, German foreign policy was given a 70% approval rating here. The Maltese were also most likely to side with the West in Ukraine and largely disapproved of Russian foreign policy. But despite a general western orientation in their foreign policy choices, the Maltese strongly disap- proved of Israeli foreign policy, which has been traditionally supported by the West. Moreover despite the West's tra- ditional support for Israel, only 7% supported Israel in the war in Gaza, which received lukewarm support from the US, whose foreign policy is only deemed positive by 41%. The Maltese were lukewarm to- wards China's foreign policy, ap- proved by only 38% of respondents, but are open to Chinese investment to the extent that 60% approved an agreement through which a Chinese state owned company would buy a 33% stake in Enemalta. The Maltese were divided when asked whether Malta should emulate Dubai's model when it comes to de- velopment, as recently suggested by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, A survey of attitudes towards 15 countries also revealed that Germany is admired for being disciplined and economically stable and that Swe- den is more known in Malta for its blondes than for its gender equality and welfare state. Azerbaijan is more known for host- ing the Eurovision two years ago than for its role in supplying gas to the new power station. Moreover Ebola was considered one of the major threats to world security even if the spread of the disease has so far been limited to poor countries with an inadequate health system. Maltese identity Language is what makes us Mal- tese, food is what makes us Mediter- ranean and the use of the euro cur- rency is what makes us European. This emerged from a survey con- ducted in September on the occa- sion of Malta's 50th independence anniversary. Respondents were asked to men- tion up to three characteristics con- stituting their Maltese, European and Mediterranean identities. The survey revealed that more than 1 in 4 could not give an answer when asked to mention at least one characteristic which makes them European. Only slightly more than 1 in 10 could not mention a characteristic of Mediterranean identity even if 40% replied by associating Medi- terranean identity with simply be- ing surrounded by the sea. Only 1% could not define their Maltese identity. Government's popularity A MaltaToday survey conducted in October showed a sharp dip in the approval rating of most min- isters but the trust barometer still showed Muscat enjoying a strong 14-point lead over opposition leader Simon Busuttil. Amid increased concern on traf- fic congestion, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi hit rock bottom, drop- ping from a solid approval rate of 52% in February to just 25% in October. Sharp drops are also registered by Energy and Health Minister Konrad Mizzi (minus 13 points), Environment Minister Leo Brincat (minus 12 points), Finance Min- ister Edward Scicluna (minus 11 points), Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech (minus 10 points) and Home Affairs Minister Manwel Mallia (minus nine points). The survey showed that while the government as a whole is less popular than it was in February, Muscat still retained a solid lead over opposition leader Simon Bu- suttil before the shooting incident involving the driver of sacked Min- ister Manuel Mallia Traffic becomes major concern Mar Nov Change Traffic 7 23 +16 Immigration 17.3 21.2 +3.9 Inflation 12 12.8 +0.8 Jobs 21 7.2 -13.8 COLA 0 7.2 +7.2 Energy 2.5 6.8 +4.4 Two surveys on public concerns were held in March and Novem- ber. Respondents were asked in a survey to mention the two main problems facing the country. For the first time since 2006 traffic became the top concern of the Maltese. Although concern on traffic overtook that on migration in November, unease about the lat- ter has also increased by four points. While in March only 7% men- tioned traffic as one of the two main problems facing the coun- try, the percentage increased to a comparably staggering 23% in November. Moreover 6% and 5% of re- spondents mentioned roads and public transport respectively. The survey showed that 30% of respondents mentioned at least one situation related to trans- port. On the other hand the survey shows jobs concern going down sharply from 21% to just 7%. While concern on the cost of living has gone up slightly over March, 7.2% of respondents ex- pressed unease about the pre- announced Cost of Living Allow- ance (COLA) of 58 cents. In the wake of delays on the new power station, worry about ener- gy issues has also shot up from 3% in March to 7%. Concern on the environment (mostly on development issues) has gone down by four points. On the other hand for the first time 4% expressed unease about a de- cline in retail trade. Got ideas on what we should poll in 2015? Send your suggestions to James Debono, our chief pollster, on jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Less popular government but PM retains strong lead on Opposition leader BirdLife representatives with 'stop spring hunting' signatures for a referendum