The politicians, who represent their voters in the parliament, should use any opportunity to find more about the problems and the moods in the society. The sociological group “Rating” has recently published a detailed report according to the results of their October research.
“It is especially interesting for MPs from Kharkiv, because in addition to the all-Ukrainian poll, the sociologists researched our front-line region separately,” Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Feldman emphasizes.
“Analyzing the report, I’ve singled out several key tendencies, which should be taken into account by the authorities.
1. Ukrainians are completely disappointed in parties and leaders.
Based on the answers of the voters, we notice that the total support of all parliamentary parties is 34 percent, the support of the current coalition is 8 percent. Only 11 percent – and this is the abysmal record during the years of independence – consider that Ukraine moves in right direction.
There are 39 percent of those who are disappointed so much that they do not want to vote at all or cannot select from the offered list. However, the irony of the situation is that all those who will not come to the elections will favour the re-election of old parties.
Ukrainians have negative attitude to absolutely all party leaders and politicians with big names: the “distrust” in each of 10 leaders included into the questionnaire exceed the “trust” significantly (some of them have too high level of distrust!)
However, the poll in Kharkiv oblast with the questionnaire consisting of 8 regional politicians had absolutely other results. Apparently, we’ve used to trust “our own officials,” the defenders of the interests of our region, while we are disappointed in the national leaders.
2. Decentralization has no alternative
Only 8 percent of respondents do not support the transfer of the majority of rights from the central authorities to local communities. 11 percent of the residents of Kharkiv oblast have doubts that the region is ready to the expansion of authorities, while 66 percent are sure of the contrary.
The Economy of Kharkiv oblast is the 4th according to the gross regional product in the country, while the average salary in oblast is 13 percent less than the average salary in Ukraine. Decentralization will help the region to overcome this injustice in order to have the possibility to independently distribute the earned means.
Judging by the answers of the respondents, the voters are aware of the importance of decentralization for the development of Kharkiv and Ukraine. I applaud the wise position of our citizens.
3. Residents of Kharkiv desire peace, perhaps, even more than anyone in Ukraine
Kharkiv residents are tired of the language of hatred, the witch hunt and the search of enemies. The course of the normalization of the relations with Russia is supported by almost twice as much residents of the eastern regions as the joining the European Union. However, it should be noted that not so long ago, the ratio was equal, and it is sad that the “pro-European coalition” discredits the “European idea.”
And when ultra-nationalists will accuse the residents of Kharkiv of “insufficient patriotism” and “helping the aggressor,” let them watch the percent of the residents of oblast who do not support the unity of Ukraine (2 percent), who justifies Russia’s “protection of Russian-speaking population” in the territory of our country (8 percent) and the annexation of Crimea (9 percent.)
Kharkiv chose Ukraine, and it is confirmed by both today’s polls and the developments in 2014, when the position of the residents didn’t admit the implementation of “Donbas scenario.” Kharkiv chose peaceful and developing Ukraine that is open for cooperation and that is guided by “national interests,” not the “national prejudices.”
I don’t know whether the staffs of our numerous parties read the similar reports, and whether they communicate with people about the urgent problems often. But I know for sure that when politicians stop listening to the society, it explodes,” Oleksandr Feldman is convinced.
“Not so much time have left for us not to admit another social explosion. I have always supported the evolutionary way instead of the revolutionary one, and that is why I sincerely hope that the authorities will be wise enough to address the needs of the society.
The political elite which came with the rhetoric of “dignity” is obliged to guarantee decent life to Ukrainians. “Reforms,” “war,” “crisis” or anything else do not empower our authorities to build the policy, which doesn’t correspond with the real needs of those who elected these people.
