Polls show Ukrainians displeasure with agri land sales

The results of two polls conducted in late June and
early July show changes in the political landscape and public acceptance of the
changes in the land market that took effect on July 1.

Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS)
released the results of its June 22-29 polling. Agricultural land sales, which
started on July 1, were frowned upon by a large percentage of Ukrainians. Of
those polled, 71.7% supported a referendum regarding a ban on agricultural land
sales, and 65.2% would vote to support such a ban. Forbidding foreigners from
purchasing the land garnered stronger support, as 84.1% of Ukrainians were
against such sales.

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating stood
at 34.1%, with 52.7% not approving of his work. If parliamentary elections were
held at the time of the polling, however, the pro-presidential Servant of the
People Party would place first, with 20.6% of decided voters. Pro-Russian
Opposition Platform for Life, ex-president Poroshenko’s EU, and former PM
Tymoshenko’s Fatherland parties would garner 16.9%, 15.0%, and 14.7%
respectively, which KIIS noted, statistically placed them all second. However,
smaller parties gained support, as the Strength and Honor, Lyashko Party, and
Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman Party received 7.0%, 5.7%, and 5.1%
respectively.

Another poll from Rating Sociological Group showed
slightly different figures, with greater support for Servant of the People
(24.9% of ready voters) and lower support for others. Moreover, Zelensky’s
rating was at 46% (trust) / 52% (distrust). Despite the lack of trust, Zelensky
would still win a head-to-head election against any politician in Ukraine today
by a wide margin. Against Petro Poroshenko, Yuliya Tymoshenko or Yuriy Boyko,
Zelensky would win by roughly a 2-1 margin. Recall, Zelensky defeated
Poroshenko by an almost 3-1 margin on the last election.

James Hydzik: The sale of
land to foreigners has never been popular among Ukrainians, and no changes
should be expected on the matter as there is little political will to tackle
it.

Politically, the changes in the support levels
reflect, in part, the collapse of the Voice parliamentary party due to internal
dissension. As a result, the party would gain less than 2% of votes. The drop
in popularity of the pro-EU party of ex-president Poroshenko might be explained
by allegations of Poroshenko’s working relations while in office with Viktor
Medvedchuk. However, neither presidential nor parliamentary elections are
upcoming, so the figures are merely indicative.