Gov’t still wins public approval but economy still soft spot

AMMAN — Jordanians’ satisfaction with the performance of the incumbent government of Abdullah Ensour witnessed an increase four months since the last comprehensive poll by the University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS).

Results of nationwide poll released on Monday showed that 60 per cent of Jordanians believe that the incumbent government was able to carry out its duties, up from 54 per cent in the survey conducted in December 2014.

The survey conducted during the period between April 22 and
April 27 involves two categories of respondents: a national sample of the general public of 1,216 respondents and of opinion leaders of 700 respondents including academics, intellectuals, leading businessmen and politicians.

Opinion leaders, however, showed slightly more approval with 61 per cent of them believing that the incumbent government was able to carry out its duties compared to 60 per cent in the previous poll.

Meanwhile, 65 per cent of respondents believe that things are going in the right direction; a drop from 74 per cent in a poll conducted in February and only included in the national sample without opinion leaders. The rate was 51 per cent in the survey conducted in December 2014.

As for the opinion leaders, 67 per cent of them believe that things are going in the right direction, up from 61 per cent in December.

The survey was conducted two years after Ensour formed his first government.

The poll showed that 32 per cent of national sample respondents are dissatisfied with the government’s performance for several reasons, with the economic situation on top, followed by corruption and wasta (the use of connections to achieve certain gains).

A total of 61 per cent of the national sample, polled by CSS, believed that Ensour was able to shoulder his responsibilities at this stage compared to 56 per cent in the December poll, while only 52 per cent believed that his ministers successfully shouldered their responsibilities related to the current stage.

As for opinion leaders surveyed in the CSS poll, 67 per cent of them believe that Ensour managed to shoulder responsibilities in the period in question, compared to 65 per cent in the previous poll. A total of 53 per cent of the same sample believed that his ministers successfully shouldered responsibilities related to the current stage.

As for implementing guidelines set in the Letter of Designation, 80 per cent of the national sample respondents and 84 per cent of opinion leaders, respectively, said that the government has been capable of supporting the armed forces and security agencies. 

On the economic situation, 16 per cent of the national sample described the economic situation of their households as better than it was 12 months ago, while 40 per cent said it is still the same. Forty-four per cent of the same category described it as worse compared to 52 per cent in the last survey.

Terrorism and extremism

Results of the opinion poll showed that 71 per cent of the national sample respondents believe that Al Qaeda is a terrorist group.

Of the same sample, 66 per cent believe that Hizbollah is a terrorist group, compared to 12 per cent who believe that it is a legitimate resistance group.

However, Daesh was described by the majority as a terrorist group, as 92 per cent said it is a terrorist group compared to 72 per cent in December poll.

Also 95 per cent of opinion leaders believed the same compared to 84 per cent in the December poll. Only 1 per cent of the national sample respondents said Daesh represents their views, with the same ratio of opinion leaders who said Daesh’s views are similar to theirs.

When asked about the group which threatens Jordan more than others, 82 per cent of the national sample and 79 per cent of the opinion leaders pointed to Daesh.

As for the foreign policies of other countries that mostly threaten regional security and stability, Israel came first according to 74 per cent of respondents, followed by Iran (71 per cent), the US (64 per cent) and the Syrian regime (54 per cent).

Meanwhile, 63 per cent of national sample respondents and 55 per cent of opinion leaders said “Operation Storm of Resolve” led by Saudi Arabia against Houthis in Yemen achieved its goals.