Poll Shows ‘Christodoulides has not Kept Promises’

The survey conducted by RetailZoom on behalf of daily Politis questioned the public on the state of governance in South Cyprus, including an evaluation of cabinet members, party leaders and potential presidential candidates for 2028.

Despite the fact that Christodoulides was elected as an independent candidate most people do not believe the country has become any more meritocratic during his tenure.

According to the daily, Christodoulides emerges from the findings with a mediocre image, as a president who did not keep his promises, appoints relatives and friends, and is focused on re-election for a second term, to the detriment of effecting necessary changes.

In an assessment of his capacities, a mere nine per cent of survey participants said he had performed his duties Excellently, while 61 per cent chose Not satisfactory.

In terms of the Cyprus problem, there was also a lack of confidence, with 39 per cent of respondents opting for ‘Not at all satisfactory’ and 25 per cent for ‘Not satisfactory’.

The dissatisfaction is heightened among young people, aged 18 to 34, of whom over 70 per cent rated the president as unsatisfactory or worse.

In a question targeting changes to the country’s status quo vis a vis meritocracy and justice, 67 per cent answered that the president had ‘Not at all’ changed things, while nine per cent chose ‘Somewhat’. Eleven per cent opined that the president had changed things ‘A lot.’

A survey item aimed at gauging the president’s positive characteristics saw 63 per cent say he had none [of those listed]. His highest scores were for being ‘young and active’ (19 per cent) and ‘honest’ (17 per cent). Only four per cent chose an option indicating that Christodoulides ‘keeps his promises’.

Asked about the president’s negative characteristics, 50 per cent chose ‘Talks much and does little’ while 42 per cent chose ‘Only appoints relatives and friends’, and 19 per cent chose ‘Looks honest but isn’t’. Ten per cent said the president ‘Does not have [the listed] negative characteristics’.

Overall, 72 per cent of respondents did not believe Christodoulides should seek a second term while 20 per cent said he should.

The president’s ministers, likewise, did not fare particularly well with the exception of Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, whom just over half of the participants (51 per cent) rated satisfactory or excellent at his work.

Lowest scores went to Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas with only 16 per cent of respondents considering him ‘Excellent’ or ‘Satisfactory’ and Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou with 19 per cent over the two options.

Closely behind was Energy Minister George Papanastasiou with 20 per cent considering him ‘Satisfactory’ or above. The latter also received the highest percentage of respondents judging his work as ‘Not at all satisfactory’ (28 per cent).

Party leaders were also deemed ‘Not at all satisfactory’ by 48 per cent of respondents.

Disy’s Annita Dimitriou and Akel’s Stefanos Stefanou came top of the lukewarm scores with 27 and 25 per cent respectively assessing them as ‘Excellent’ (seven and five per cent) or ‘Satisfactory’ (20 per cent for both).

In questions to ascertain the popularity of future presidential candidates, Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides came out top, being selected by 25 per cent of respondents.

He was followed by Disy’s Averof Neophytou and Akel’s Irini Charalambidou, tied at 22 per cent, and Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos at 19 per cent.

Youtuber and independent Euro MP Fidias Panayiotou scored a three per cent approval rate, along with several established politicians, while 9 per cent of respondents chose ‘None of the above’ from the provided list of potentials.

Source: Cyprus Mail