TBILISI – Most Georgians support the goal of entering into the European Union and NATO pursued by the national government, the U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI) said on Tuesday following a public opinion poll held in Georgia.
Seventy-two percent of the respondents said they accepted the government’s wish to join the European Union; 21% rejected that goal, and 7% were hesitant.
The entry into NATO gained support of 64 percent respondents, 26 percent rejected it, and 9 percent were undecided, the NDI said.
The respondents were also asked about Georgia’s development course.
Thirty-nine percent of the respondents believe that Georgia is headed in the wrong direction, 32 percent say that nothing has changed in the country, and only 26 percent think that Georgia is on the right track.
Most respondents say that Georgia’s biggest problems are economic, the NDI said.
Fifty-four percent of the respondents put jobs on top of the list of their concerns, 35 percent mentioned the price rise and inflation, 30 percent – poverty, 25 percent – pensions, and 23 percent – affordable healthcare. The territorial integrity was important to only 23 percent of the respondents.
The poll was conducted across Georgia from Nov. 29 to Dec. 19 amongst 2,298 respondents.
