Gov’t’s approval rate up

AMMAN — Fifty-four per cent of Jordanians believe that the incumbent government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour has been able to shoulder its responsibilities, showing a rise in the Cabinet’s approval rate, according to a poll released Tuesday.

The latest poll, which was conducted by the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan, showed a five-point increase from the last survey carried out in March this year.

The survey was conducted two years after Ensour formed his first government and six months after a reshuffle Ensour made to his team.

The two-level poll involves two categories of respondents: a national sample of the general public of 1,200 respondents, and of opinion leaders of 700 respondents including academicians, intellectuals, leading businessmen and politicians.

A total of 56 per cent of the national sample, polled by the CSS between November 23 and December 5, believed that Ensour was able to shoulder responsibilities at this stage compared to 50 per cent in March poll, while only 47 per cent believed that his ministers successfully shouldered responsibilities related to the current stage.

Meanwhile, opinion leaders were more optimistic than national sample respondents as 60 per cent of them said the government was able to shoulder its responsibilities, and 65 per cent of the same category believed that the premier did a good job and 53 per cent were satisfied with the ministers’ performance.

As for implementing guidelines set in the Letter of Designation, 73 per cent of the national sample respondents and 83 per cent of the opinion leaders, respectively, said that the government has been capable of supporting the armed forces and security agencies.

On the economic situation, 13 per cent of the national sample described the economic situation of their households as better than it was 12 months ago, while 35 per cent said it is still the same. Fifty-two per cent of the same category described it as worse compared to 57 per cent in the last survey.

Terrorism and extremism

Results of the opinion poll showed that 46 per cent of the national sample respondents believe that Al Qaeda is a terrorist group, while 38 per cent believe that it is a legitimate resistance group. Of the same sample, 45 per cent believe that Hizbollah is a terrorist group, compared to 18 per cent who believe that it is a legitimate resistance group.

However, the Islamic State (IS) was described by the majority as a terrorist group — 72 per cent of the national sample and 84 per cent of the opinion leaders. In addition, 77 per cent of the national sample and 85 per cent of the opinion leaders believe that IS threatens the security and stability of the region.

Al Nusra Front, or Jabhat Al Nusra was described as a terrorist group by 37 per cent of the national sample and 61 per cent of the opinion leaders.

When asked about the group that threatens Jordan more than the others, 84 per cent of the national sample and 81 per cent of the opinion leaders pointed to IS.