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MT 5 June 2016

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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 JUNE 2016 16 MaltaToday Survey Concern on corruption grows Corruption increases by 5 points, emerging as top concern of switchers and PN voters, while Opposition's tactics become a main concern for PL voters Traffic Corruption/transperancy Panama Papers Immigration Low income The opposition Politicians Cost of living Environment Buses Low income State of roads Jobs Fuel prices Health Economy Parking Others Don't know JAMES DEBONO A MaltaToday survey conducted in the last week of May shows that concern on corruption has reached an all-time high of 18%, and is only second to traffic in the list of na- tional concerns. Significantly, corruption tops the list of concerns of switch- ers – voters who voted PN in 2008 and then PL in 2013 – 33% of which mentioned it as one of the two most pressing concerns. Concern on corruption has also increased by 8 points among Labour voters in 2013. Moreover 10% of respondents mentioned the Panama Pa- pers as a top concern. These included 17% of switchers and 8% of Labour voters. In the survey, respondents were asked to state the two greatest problems facing the country. Respondents were not prompted with a list of answers. The survey indicates that bread and butter issues have been eclipsed by the concerns related to governance. In fact, concern on the cost of living jobs and low income has de- creased marginally by 2 and 5 points respectively. Only 1.3% expressed a concern on the economy. But the sharpest decrease was registered in concern on parking (-9 points), immigration (-10 points) and buses (-8 points). Concern on traffic and the environment both de- clined by 4 points while concern on the state of the roads remained the same. This suggests that corruption is seen as a more pressing issue among respondents at this particular moment. The Opposition as a 'problem' In a reflection of increased polarisation and political ten- sion, one-fifth of Labour voters consider the Nationalist opposition as one of the two greatest problems facing the country. Among PN voters, less than 1% mentioned the gov- ernment or the Labour party as a national problem. A new concern emerging from this survey is that politi- cians and politics in general constitute a national problem. This concern is strongest among switchers, 17% of which consider politicians as the country's main problem. But 6% of PN voters in 2013 and 8% of PL voters in 2013 also express this concern. This could reflect the tit-for-tat in corruption allegations in the wake of the Panama scandal. 20% 18.4% 9.9% 8.9% 7.6% 7.6% 6.9% 6.3% 5.6% 5.6% 5.2% 5% 3% 1.1% 1.8% 1.3% 1.1% 2% 10.1% (-3.9) (4.8) (9.9) (-10) (-2.4) (6.4) (6.1) (-3.7) (-4) (-8.4) (-4.8) (-0.1) (-4.1) (-4.5) (-0.4) (0.1) (-8.7) (-0.2) (4) Major concerns • First appearance of 'Opposition' as a concern for Labour voters • Corruption and lack of transparency become major concerns for PN voters and switchers • Panama Papers is now a top three concern in Malta for PN, PL voters and switchers Ever since it was revealed that the PM's chief of staff Keith Schembri, and minister Konrad Mizzi had opened Panama offshore companies while in office, the Panama Papers and correspondingly corruption and transparency have rocketed in the list of public concerns Super Savings on Home and Car Insurance Citadel Insurance p.l.c. • Casa Borgo • 26 Market Street • Floriana FRN 1082 • Tel: 2557 9000 • Freephone 800 72322 • E-mail: info@citadelplc.com • www.citadelplc.com Branches: Il-Gżira 2133 2151 • Ħaż-Żebbuġ 2146 4873 • In-Naxxar 2141 9198 • Paola 2180 6247 • San Ġwann 2733 0044 • Il-Mosta 2143 8880 • Iż-Żejtun 2180 7779 • Victoria 2156 6660 • Tied Insurance Intermediaries: Malta • Gozo Citadel Insurance p.l.c. is a company authorised to carry on general and long term business of insurance and is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. FREE PLANT on the occasion of World Environment Day ** **Terms and conditions apply. ** Free plants will be distributed on the 6th, 8th & 9th June upon renewal or purchase, until stock lasts. Terms and conditions apply. WIN a Travel Voucher/ 40" TV/Soundbar*

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