Progressives enjoy record high support among Serbians

BELGRADE The ruling Serb Progressive Party (SNS) currently has the support of 41 percent of Serbians, a new B92/Ipsos Strategic Marketing poll has shown. 1,060 respondents took part in the survey this week that revealed a profound change that took place in the country's political scene over the past year. Progressives enjoy record high support among Serbians Only one third of Serbians would turn out to vote if elections were held now - while half of those say they would vote according to their party affiliation. That leaves plenty of room for all parties to seek support among those who are now undecided. However, at this point the SNS enjoys the highest rating in its history - 41 percent. Far behind are the Socialists (SPS) - allied with the Progressives in the current government - and the opposition Democrats (DS) - each with 13 percent. Behind them is the opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) with a stable seven percent support. Another opposition party, the LDP, can also currently count with seven percent, while the Radicals (SRS), who are not represented in parliament, again have over five percent. But the United Regions of Serbia (URS) - who are part of the ruling coalition - and the Dveri Movement would be left below that threshold and out of parliament, with three and two percent respectively. The Progressives managed to add ten percent to the support they enjoy among decided voters in one year - while the Democrats are likely experiencing their toughest patch in the past decade, and have gone from 26 percent in February of last year, to only 13 percent today. As for the rating of politicians, SNS leader Aleksandar Vucic is seen as "most honest" - by 24 percent of the poll's respondents. President Tomislav Nikolic is left behind with eight percent, followed by DSS and SPS leaders Vojislav Kostunica and Ivica Dacic with five percent each. The survey also revealed that 80 percent of respondents believe that Vucic, who serves as first deputy PM and defense minister, deserves to hold his office. 71 percent said that Tomislav Nikolic was deserving of his position as president, followed by 66 percent who thought the same about PM Ivica Dacic. URS leader and Economy and Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic, however, fared poorly when the citizens answered this question, with only 37 percent saying he deserved the job. Respondents were asked, 'Who do you vote for?' (B92) B92

Progressives enjoy record high support among Serbians

Only one third of Serbians would turn out to vote if elections were held now - while half of those say they would vote according to their party affiliation. That leaves plenty of room for all parties to seek support among those who are now undecided.

However, at this point the SNS enjoys the highest rating in its history - 41 percent. Far behind are the Socialists (SPS) - allied with the Progressives in the current government - and the opposition Democrats (DS) - each with 13 percent.

Behind them is the opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) with a stable seven percent support.

Another opposition party, the LDP, can also currently count with seven percent, while the Radicals (SRS), who are not represented in parliament, again have over five percent.

But the United Regions of Serbia (URS) - who are part of the ruling coalition - and the Dveri Movement would be left below that threshold and out of parliament, with three and two percent respectively.

The Progressives managed to add ten percent to the support they enjoy among decided voters in one year - while the Democrats are likely experiencing their toughest patch in the past decade, and have gone from 26 percent in February of last year, to only 13 percent today.

As for the rating of politicians, SNS leader Aleksandar Vučić is seen as "most honest" - by 24 percent of the poll's respondents. President Tomislav Nikolić is left behind with eight percent, followed by DSS and SPS leaders Vojislav Koštunica and Ivica Dačić with five percent each.

The survey also revealed that 80 percent of respondents believe that Vučić, who serves as first deputy PM and defense minister, deserves to hold his office. 71 percent said that Tomislav Nikolić was deserving of his position as president, followed by 66 percent who thought the same about PM Ivica Dačić.

URS leader and Economy and Finance Minister Mlađan Dinkić, however, fared poorly when the citizens answered this question, with only 37 percent saying he deserved the job.