The Ukrainians Trust the Church And the Military

Results of a countrywide poll of 1200 adult Ukrainians conducted by SOCIS and the Democratic Initiatives Foundation from December 29 to January 7 are evidence that the church and arms bearing structures still enjoy the most confidence among Ukrainians. According to Interfax-Ukraine, 50% of those polled trust the church completely (with 14% distrusting it), 32% trust the Armed Forces (with 22% distrusting it), while only 15% respondents trust the Ukrainian militia (with 44% withholding their confidence). The Security Service enjoys confidence from 26% of Ukrainians, while 20% have no trust in it. A mere 8% of those polled trust the country’s government, 44% distrust it, and 38% both trust and distrust it. The institution of the presidency enjoys trust from 12% of the population, while 44% do not trust it at all. President Leonid Kuchma is trusted by 12% of those polled, with 45% giving negative answer and 35% both trusting and distrusting him. The mass media enjoy credit from 22% of Ukrainians; 15% of those polled distrust them, including the Russian (16% and 15% respectively) and Western ones (15% and 15%). Simultaneously, the Ukrainian citizens polled distrust local councils (13% trust and 43% distrust ), local city administrations (12% and 43%), trade unions (13% and 32%), judiciary organs (16% and 33%), and prosecutor’s offices (15% and 31%). Chairman of the parliament Ivan Pliushch has the trust of 7% of the population with 42% distrusting him; Prime Minister Kinakh 12% and 26% respectively; Chairman of the Presidential Administration Volodymyr Lytvyn 4% and 23%, Chairman of the National Security and Defense Council Yevhen Marchuk 7% and 38%, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Anatoly Zlenko 6% and 20%, and Defense Minister Volodymyr Shkidchenko 3% and 12% respectively.