Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Ukrainians Endorse Status Quo on Social Issues

June 29, 2007
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Ukraine are not sympathetic to allowing specific changes to their legislation, according to a poll by the Kiev Gorshenin Institute of Management Issues. Less than 15 per cent of respondents believe euthanasia and prostitution should be allowed in the country.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Ukraine are not sympathetic to allowing specific changes to their legislation, according to a poll by the Kiev Gorshenin Institute of Management Issues. Less than 15 per cent of respondents believe euthanasia and prostitution should be allowed in the country.

Support for the legalization of free arms sales, light drugs and same-sex marriage is lower than 10 per cent.

Viktor Yushchenko won the December 2004 presidential election with 51.99 per cent of the vote in an unprecedented third round against Viktor Yanukovych. The next presidential election is tentatively scheduled for October 2009.

In March 2006, Ukrainian voters renewed the Supreme Council. In July, the "anti-crisis" governing coalition—which includes the Party of Regions (PR), the Socialist Party of Ukraine (SPU) and the Communist Party (KPU)—was formally announced. In August, Yanukovych was confirmed as prime minister. An early legislative ballot will take place on Sept. 30.

In recent weeks, Ukrainian lawmakers have discussed possible amendments to the country's constitution. Yushchenko has said he favours a "two-chamber parliament", while the KPU has called for the abolition of the presidency and declaring Ukraine as "a non-nuclear and neutral state, free of membership in any military blocs." Changes in existing legislation related to social issues are not expected.

Polling Data

What should be legalized in Ukraine from the mentioned below?
(All mentions)

Euthanasia

14.8%

Prostitution

10.9%

Free arms sales

7.9%

Light drugs

7.1%

Same-sex marriage

4.7%

None of the above

52.1%

Hard to answer

16.7%

Source: Kiev Gorshenin Institute of Management Issues
Methodology: Interviews with 2,006 Ukrainian adults, conducted from Jun. 4 to Jun. 18, 2007. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.