Survey gives government thumbs down

ONE hundred and fifty people in the Almanzora Valley have taken part in a province wide survey.

The investigation, called Snapshots of Andalucía Society, canvassed 1,200 people throughout the province of Andalucía in the first two months of this year, and asked them for their views on a wide range of socio-economic topics. The results gave little respite to an already beleaguered government.

Seventy six per cent replied yes to the question ‘Do you think that the economic situation is very bad?’, whilst 65 per cent thought that it would not improve in 2014.      

Amongst the unemployed members of the public who were interviewed, half believed that they would not find work in 2013, and a tenth were trying to start their own businesses.

When the review questioned whether Central Government had failed to fulfil its election promises, a staggering 88 per cent answered in the affirmative, and 62 per cent felt that government policies were having a negative impact on the region.

Seven out of 10 were against Almeria’s higher court fees as well as a new rule eliminating tax benefits for buying a home.

Public health, education, and care for dependents were categorised together in the questionnaire and 63 per cent responded that matters had worsened in these sectors. Almost every one of those interviewed (96.7 per cent) believed that the standard of education had deteriorated under the present government.

Regarding the communities voting intensions, the report concluded that if there was an election in Andalucia tomorrow, PSOE would win 50 seats (41per cent of the popular vote) compared with 42 seats (34per cent) for PP. Furthermore, 46per cent would approve of a coalition government (with the United Left) whilst the approval rating of socialist leader Jose Antonio Grin was only 12 per cent.