Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/785757
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2017 13 MaltaToday Survey that it has actually increased. But while only 5% of PL voters trust Busuttil more than Muscat in fighting corruption, a substantial 22% of PL voters trust neither of the two leaders. Significantly, concern about corruption is higher among switchers – PN voters in 2008 who voted PL in 2013. Only 33% of switchers think corruption has lessened post-2013 while 47% actually think it has actually gone up. The survey suggests that on this issue this category remains sceptical about both political leaders. In fact 47% trust neither leader on this issue, while 27% trust Muscat and 20% trust Busuttil. Switchers are also the most likely to consider corruption more important than other issues, such as the economy and personal income. Switchers are even more likely to consider corruption the most important electoral issue than PN voters. While PN voters in 2013 are the most likely to think there is a lot of corruption (80%), 22% of these voters trust neither leader on this issue. Perception of corruption higher among the more educated The survey shows that the more educated respond- ents are the more likely to think that corruption is wide- spread. While 57% of the university educated think there is a "lot" of corruption under the present government, only 37% of those with a secondary level of education be- lieve likewise. The university educated are also the most likely to think that corruption has increased post-2013. Among this category 60% think that there is more corruption since 2013. This view is expressed by only 35% of those with a secondary education. Respondents who did not make it to university but have followed a post secondary course are the most likely to think that corruption is at the same levels as before 2013. In fact 34% of this category express this view. Simon Busuttil is more trusted in fighting corruption by respondents with a university and a post secondary edu- cation while Joseph Muscat is more trusted among those with a secondary and primary level of education. But the highest level of mistrust in both leaders is also found in the two more educated categories. Among those with a university education only 13% trust Muscat in fighting corruption compared to 34% who trust Busuttil. But 36% do not trust either of the two leaders. The university educated are also the most likely to consider corruption as more important than personal income and the economy. Among this category 30% ex- press this view compared to only 14% of those with a sec- ondary education. Clientelism more rife in Gozo Having the assistance of a political saint in finding a job is more important in Gozo than in Malta. A comparison with a survey held in Gozo a month ago shows that while 29% of Gozitans consider the help of a politician "very important", only 14% of the Maltese express the same view. And while 20% of the Maltese think that the help of politicians is not at all important in finding a job, only 6% of Gozitans believe likewise. The Maltese are also slightly more likely to think that contracts, permits and government jobs are awarded on the basis of merit. But a substantial 42% of the Maltese (compared to 53% of Gozitans) believe that the interces- sion of a politician helps. But the Maltese are slightly more likely than Gozitans to think that post-2013 it has become easier to find the help of politicians in the award of contracts, permits and government jobs. While only 18% of the Maltese, com- pared to 22% of Gozitans, believe that seeking political assistance in such matters has become more difficult, 27% of Maltese compared to 25% of Gozitans believe that this has become easier. Strong perception of corruption in planning The survey shows that 56% believe that there is cor- ruption in the Planning Authority. Only 12% believe that there is no corruption in this institution, which was spe- cifically set up to put an end to ministerial discretion in planning, which led to cases of corruption in the 1980s. A majority of 51% also believe that there is corruption in the award of government contracts. Only 12% believe that there is no corruption in this sector. The survey shows a lower perception of corruption in the judiciary and the police force. Still, a substantial 38% believe that there is corruption in the police force, while 35% believe that there is corruption in the judiciary. Methodology The survey was held between Monday 6 and Thursday 9 February. A total of 801 respondents were contacted by telephone, of whom 600 accepted to participate. The survey has a margin of error of +/-4 points. Of the following issues which do you consider most important when voting: Corruption, Economy, Your standard of living 60.9% 19.4% 16.3% 71.6% 18.6% 8.8% 53.4% 17.9% 24.3% 3.6% 53.3% 13.3% 33.3% 42.6% 25.5% 29.8% 51.4% 22.9% 17.1% 4.3% 4.3% 68.1% 17% 13.5% 71.2% 18.6% 10.2% All PL voters 2013 PN voters 2013 Switchers University Post Secondary Secondary Primary Personal income The economy Corruption Equally important Others/none Don't know Is there corruption in these institutions? Planning Authority Govt Contracts Law Courts Police 31.4% 36.7% 38.6% 39.5% 12.4% 12.4% 26.1% 22.3% 56.2% 36.7% 38.6% 39.5% Significantly concern about corruption is higher among switchers: PN voters in 2008 who voted PL in 2013