Public assessments of President Nikos Christodoulides remain largely negative, with almost two-thirds of Cypriots dissatisfied with the way he is carrying out his duties nearly four years after his election, according to an analysis published by Marina Oikonomidou in Alpha tis Kyriakis, based on a poll conducted by Rai Consultants Ltd.
The survey found that just 35% of respondents were satisfied with the President’s performance, compared with 64% who expressed dissatisfaction.
Of those surveyed, 9% said they were very satisfied and 26% fairly satisfied. Meanwhile, 38% said they were not particularly satisfied, while a further 26% said they were not satisfied at all.
According to Oikonomidou’s analysis, satisfaction levels remain relatively low but have not changed significantly compared with previous surveys.
The lowest ratings were recorded at the beginning of the year, when the so-called ‘Videogate’ controversy emerged, apparently affecting public perceptions of both the President and the government.
By contrast, the strongest ratings came in the spring, with satisfaction reaching 39% in March and 41% in May. The improvement may have been linked to the government’s handling of international developments, including the Middle East crisis, as well as issues relating to the Republic of Cyprus’ role and presence in Europe.
Approval ratings and the next presidential election
Whether the current figures could have an impact on a future presidential election is one of the key questions raised by the findings.
Rai Consultants Ltd board chairman Olympios Toumazos told Alpha tis Kyriakis that public assessments of the current administration were more negative than positive.
However, he cautioned that satisfaction with the way a president exercises power does not necessarily translate into voting intentions at the next presidential election.
Comparison with Anastasiades’ first term
The analysis also compares Christodoulides’ ratings with those recorded during the first term of former president Nicos Anastasiades.
According to Toumazos, satisfaction levels during Anastasiades’ first term ranged between 45% and 50%, considerably higher than those currently recorded by Christodoulides.
He stressed, however, that the circumstances facing the two presidents were not directly comparable.
Anastasiades took office during a severe economic crisis and left office following a significant improvement in key economic indicators.
Christodoulides, meanwhile, inherited an economy in considerably better condition, which his administration has maintained and strengthened. At the same time, he has had to navigate more challenging geopolitical circumstances and a more complex environment surrounding the Cyprus problem.
Most Cypriots believe the country is heading in the wrong direction
The survey also paints a negative picture of public perceptions of the country's overall direction.
Some 59% of respondents believe Cyprus is heading in the wrong direction, while just 21% think the country is moving in the right direction. A further 18% expressed neither a positive nor a negative view.
Foreign policy outperforms domestic governance
The findings once again suggest that foreign policy remains the strongest area of Christodoulides’ presidency.
Just 29% of respondents said they were satisfied with domestic governance, while 69% expressed dissatisfaction.
The picture was markedly different when it came to foreign policy, where positive assessments reached 51%, exceeding negative evaluations.
A similarly negative trend emerged in the overall assessment of the government's performance. According to the findings presented by Oikonomidou, 33% of respondents were satisfied with the government's work, compared with 65% who were dissatisfied.
Healthcare leads, corruption receives the worst rating
Healthcare emerged as the area of government policy attracting the most positive assessments, with 46% of respondents expressing satisfaction. This may be linked, at least in part, to the implementation of the General Healthcare System (GeSY).
Immigration followed, with 37% satisfied with the government's handling of the issue, while satisfaction with its management of the Cyprus problem stood at 32%.
At the other end of the scale, education and, particularly, the fight against corruption attracted the highest levels of dissatisfaction.
Corruption was by far the government's weakest area, with 82% of respondents expressing a negative assessment, the worst result across all policy areas examined.
Significant differences between party voters
The survey also revealed considerable differences in how voters from different political parties assess the President's performance.
The lowest satisfaction levels were recorded among supporters of AKEL and the ALMA Movement, at 15% and 24% respectively.
By contrast, satisfaction reached 52% among DIKO voters and 51% among ELAM supporters.
The findings among Democratic Rally (DISY) voters were particularly notable. Despite the party being in opposition, 47% of its supporters said they were satisfied with the way Christodoulides is governing the country.
Toumazos suggested that a significant section of DISY's electorate views the current administration positively and may also be open to supporting the President in a future election.
Two distinct political camps emerge
The findings appear to point to two broader political groupings in their assessment of the President.
On one side are voters from DIKO, ELAM and a section of DISY who view Christodoulides and his administration favourably.
On the other are supporters of AKEL and the ALMA Movement, who tend to take a more negative view of both his performance and his prospects of securing another term.
While the survey highlights the challenges facing the President in terms of public satisfaction, the findings also underline the importance of distinguishing between assessments of his current performance and voters’ eventual choices at the ballot box.
