Survey on the Political Participation of Roma in Romania · 2010. 8. 11. · Survey on the Political Participation of Roma in Romania This research was funded by the National Endowment

Survey on the Political Participation of Roma in Romania

This research was funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) as part of the National Democratic Institute’s regional program to increase Roma political participation.

August 2006

Center for Urban and Regional Sociology

CURS-SA 21, Tudor Arghezi, sector 2, Bucharest

Tel/fax: +4021-317.88.88 Tel: +4021-316.59.55 e-mail: [email protected] web: www.curs.ro

Methodology

Sampling universe: Adult Roma population living in compact communities, adult integrated Roma (urban area) and adult non-Roma population

Sample size: 600 Roma in compact communities, 600 non-Roma, 200 integrated Roma

Fieldwork: 8-20 August 2006

Interviews: In-home, in-person, pencil and paper interviews based on a standardized questionnaire

Beneficiary: National Democratic Institute - NDI

CURS August 2006

If you consider yourself Roma, would you identify yourself as...?

2%3%

6%

3%

35%

3%

6%

40%

2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Cărămidar Rudar Vatraş/de vatra Căldărar Rom romanizat Ursar Other I identify myselfsimply as Roma

DK/NA

CURS August 2006

Employment Status

1%

1%

0%

47%

8%

7%

11%

9%

1%

2%

1%

12%

1%

7%

6%

12%

2%

20%

1%

4%

2%

5%

5%

35%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

NA

Higher education personnel

Foreman/technician

Unemployed

Unskilled worker

Skilled worker

Seasonal

Self-employed

Entrepreneur

Farmer

Pupil/student

Retired

non-Roma

Roma

CURS August 2006

Education level

19%

21%

38%

14%

6%

0%1% 1%1%

6%

20%

27% 27%

7%

11%

1%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

No education 1-4 forms 5-8 forms 10 forms Highschool Post-highschool University/college NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Are you currently a member of any of the following types of organizations?- percentage of total sample -

1%

4%

13%

1%

0%

2%

4%

10%

0%

1%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

Political party Parents/school association Religious group or churchorganisation

Other community or civic group Other group or organisation

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Have you taken any of the following actions in an attempt to solve a local problem affecting people in your area?

- percentage of total sample -

2%

44%

18%

13%

5%

3%

12%

22%

7%

2%

1%

47%

1%

10%

4%

3%

14%

17%

4%

5%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Contacted an NGO

Discussed the problem with friends/family

Looked for the support of a local Roma leader

Discussed the problem in the local community orreligious group

Helped organise a petition on a local issue

Attended a protest or joined an activistorganization

Attended a public/town hall meeting to discusslocal issues

Contacted a mayor, local councillor, regionalcouncillor or MP

Contacted a civic, voluntary or state organisationfor help

Written to or spoken with a local newspaper

non-Roma

Roma

CURS August 2006

Which party did you vote for in the last local elections (2004)? % of those with opinion

3%

15%

0%2%

4%

0%1%

35%

14%12%

2%

10%

1% 1%

4%

22%

0%1%

7%

1%

6%

30%

17%

0% 0%

10%

0%2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

PC (PUR) PD PIN PNG PNL PPCD(PNTCD)

PRM PSD Alianta D.A.PNL-PD

SocialDemocrat

Roma Partyfrom

Romania

Alliance forRoma unity

UDMR Independent Other

Roma non-Roma

Roma:22% did not vote12% didn't remember5% remembered the candidate but not the partyNon-Roma:20% did not vote9% didn't remember2% remembered the candidate but not the party

CURS August 2006

If you voted in the last local elections, which factor most influenced your choice? % of those who voted

8%

2%

14%

24%

18%

14%

3%1%

2%

14%

3%1%

14%

40%

24%

5%

0% 0%

3%

10%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Endorsements bycommunity leaders

Endorsements bythe media

Party orcandidate’scampaign

Party orcandidate’s

image/reputation


program

Your family Monetaryincentives/gifts

Compulsion Other (specify) DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

If you did not vote in the last local election, which factor most influenced your decision to abstain?

% of those who didn't vote

17%

35%

23%

9%

2%

1%

11%

2%

8%

30%

26%

16%

1%

0%

16%

3%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

DK/NA

Other (specify)

No interest in politics

Disappointed by past elected representatives

Insufficient focus on the community’spriorities

Lack of Roma representation amongcandidates/parties

Mistrust of the candidates/parties

Insufficient information aboutparties/candidates/elections

non-Roma

Roma

CURS August 2006

Which party did you vote for in the last parliamentary elections (2004)? % of those with opinion

39%

2%0% 1%

36%

11%

1%

9%

1%

54%

1% 1%

6%

28%

0% 0%

10%

0%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Alianta D.A. PNL-PD PNG PNTCD PRM Uniunea PSD+PUR Social DemocratRoma Party from

Romania

Alliance for Romaunity

UDMR Other party

Roma non-Roma

Roma:23% did not vote13% didn't remember2% no answerNon-Roma:22% did not vote7% didn't remember2% no answer

CURS August 2006

If you did vote in the last parliamentary election, what factor most influenced your choice?

% of those who voted

7%

1%

15%

21% 21%

15%

3%

1%2%

14%

5%

2%

16%

30%31%

4%

0% 0%

4%

8%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Endorsements bycommunity leaders

Endorsements bythe media

Party orcandidate’scampaign


image/reputation


program

Your family Monetaryincentives/gifts

Compulsion Other (specify) DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

If you did not vote in the last parliamentary elections, what factor most influenced your decision to abstain? % of those who didn't vote

19%

31%

26%

10%

2%

0%

10%

2%

7%

32%

22%

19%

2%

0%

15%

3%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

DK/NA

Other (specify)

No interest in politics

Disappointed by past elected representatives

Insufficient focus on the community’spriorities

Lack of Roma representation amongcandidates/parties

Mistrust of the candidates/parties

Insufficient information aboutparties/candidates/elections

non-Roma

Roma

CURS August 2006

How would a party having a Roma candidate in an eligible position on its party list influence your decision to vote for it?

46%

5%

31%

18%

7%

24%

50%

19%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

I would be more likely to vote for the party I would be less likely to vote for the party It would not influence my opinion of theparty

DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

If the parliamentary elections were held at the end of the present week which party would you support? % of those with opinion

0%

24%

0%

10%

0%

3%

16%

30%

8% 8%

1%3%

44%

2%

6%

1%

12%

24%

0% 0%

7%

1%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

PC (PUR) Alianta D.A.PNL-PD

PIN PNG PPCD (PNTCD) PRM PSD Social DemocratRoma Party from

Romania


UDMR Other

Roma non-Roma

Roma:10% will not vote31% undecided3% no answerNon-Roma:13% will not vote29% undecided2% no answer

CURS August 2006

What factor will most influence who you vote for in future elections?

9%

30%

8%

19%

3%

8%

5%

1%

3%

14%

19%

0%

20%

26%

11%

3%2% 2%

0%

17%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Strong partyleader

Strong platform onRoma issues

Strong platform oneconomic issues

Strong platform onsocial issues

Party reputation Communitybacking

My family The party’scampaign

Monetaryincentives/gifts

DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you believe that improving the situation of Roma in Romania is a priority that the government is trying its best to address, or that it is a challenge it is trying to avoid?

17%

64%

19%

23%

41%

36%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

It is a priority that it is trying its best to address It is a challenge they are trying to avoid DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

From the economic point of view, do you believe that Roma are better off today, or that they were better off before the fall of communism in 1989?

22%

51%

16%

11%

52%

20%

12%

16%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Better off today Better off before the fall of communism It is the same situation DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

From the political liberty point of view, do you believe that Roma are better off today, or that they were better off before the fall of communism in 1989?

47%

27%

11%

15%

67%

11%

6%

16%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Having in mind the governments in the last 15 years, under which of them did the Roma population live best?

41%

2%3%

14%

22%

18%

36%

1%

4%

13%

10%

36%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Ion Iliescu (1990-1996) Emil Constantinescu (1997-2000)

Adrian Nastase (2001-2004) Traian Basescu (2005-nowadays)

None DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you believe that non-Roma, overall, are better off today, or that they were better off before the fall of communism in 1989?

36%

33%

13%

18%

34%

40%

14%12%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Thinking of your general quality of life as it compares to the quality of life of the non-Roma around you, would you rate your quality of life as…?

9%10%

32%

22%

15%

13%

10%

14%

37%

11%

3%

25%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Much better than theaverage nonRoma

Better than the averagenonRoma

The same as the averagenonRoma

Worse than the averagenonRoma

Much worse than theaverage nonRoma

DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

What three issues do you think are the most pressing for the government to address?- multiple response -

0%

1%

5%

5%

24%

0%

4%

18%

10%

2%

23%

4%

4%

0%

4%

2%

0%

20%

0%

6%

10%

16%

4%

24%

7%

7%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

DK/NA

Other

Human Rights

Racism

Poverty

Civic political participation

Infrastructures

Housing policy

Health system

EU Enlargement

Employment

Education

Safety

non-Roma

Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowMy local council has enough Roma representation

17%

53%

30%

25% 25%

50%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Agree Disagree DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowMy county council has enough Roma representation

15%

50%

35%

24%

18%

58%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowThe Romanian Government has enough Roma representation

14%

50%

36%

24%

17%

59%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowThe Romanian Parliament has enough Roma representation

14%

48%

38%

27%

15%

58%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think that Roma can effectively defend their interests through representation on:The local level (municipal councils)

74%

13% 13%

46%

22%

32%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think that Roma can effectively defend their interests through representation on:The County Council

68%

17%15%

42%

23%

35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think that Roma can effectively defend their interest through their representation on:National Government and Parliament

68%

15%17%

41%

22%

37%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think that Roma can effectively defend their interests through representation on:The European level - European parliament and EU Commission

65%

15%

20%

35%

24%

41%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

In which level of government do you have the most trust?

32%

2%

9%10%

17%

30%

28%

2%

6%

11%

25%

28%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Local government County government Parliament Government European Council DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think people like you can influence the decision making process at local level?

24%

62%

14%

33%

57%

10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think people like you can influence the decision making process at the county level?

19%

65%

16%

23%

63%

14%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Do you think people like you can influence the decision making process at the national level?

17%

66%

17%18%

66%

16%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowPoliticians lack decision making accountability

62%

16%

22%

66%

24%

10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowWhat is going on in politics is related to my life

41%

35%

24%

53%

35%

12%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowChoosing the right political party is important in changing our lives

37%

33%

30%

41%

39%

20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

For the following statement indicate whether you agree, disagree or don’t knowRoma can largely influence the results of the elections with their votes

61%

17%

22%

55%

27%

18%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Which of the following institutions do you think can deal effectively with the problems of the Roma community?

27%

14%

10%

16%

4%

1%

11%

17%

23%

21%

6%

16%

5%

1%

8%

21%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Local Government National Agency forthe Roma

Parliament Government National Council forCombating

Discrimination

Ombudsman EU structures DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Please read the names of the following parties and note which are familiar to you and how you evaluate their work

(on a scale from 1 = worst to 10 = best)- averages, from those with an opinion -

5.745.51

5.05

3.95 3.864.19

6.61

3.913.61

5.07

5.76

5.21

3.89 4.004.33

4.69

3.653.41

-

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

PSD PD PNL PC UDMR PRM PNG PNTCD PIN

Roma non-Roma

Roma non-RomaPSD 74 89 PD 72 88 PNL 70 88 PC 48 72 UDMR 59 77 PRM 66 86 PNG 63 78 PNTCD 50 71

Percentages of those with opinion

CURS August 2006

Please read the names of the following Roma parties and note which are familiar to you and how you evaluate their work


7.24 7.12 7.06

3.623.42 3.56

-

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

Social Democrat Roma Party from Romania Alliance for Roma unity Civic Alliance of Roma

Roma non-Roma


Roma non-RomaSocial Democrat Roma Party from Romania 64 27 Alliance for Roma unity 54 25 Civic Alliance of Roma 34 14

CURS August 2006

Please read the names of the following party leaders and note which are familiar to you and how you evaluate their work


5.00

6.55

4.67

5.41

4.25

7.82

4.27 4.24 4.014.27

5.17

6.63

5.26 5.304.83

5.49

4.15 4.35 4.32 4.52

-

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

Călin PopescuTăriceanu

Traian Băsescu Emil Boc Mircea Geoană Corneliu VadimTudor

Gigi Becali Dan Voiculescu Cozmin Guşă Marko Bela GheorgheCiuhandu

Roma non-Roma

Roma non-RomaCalin Popescu Tariceanu 76 92 Traian Basescu 80 94 Emil Boc 53 80 Mircea Geoana 68 86 Corneliu Vadim Tudor 73 90 Gigi Becali 77 89 Dan Voiculescu 47 73 Cozmin Gusa 42 69


CURS August 2006

Having in mind the Roma priorities, which political party do you think has the most successful solutions to Roma problems?

0%

6%

0%

6%

1% 0%2%

7%

29%

8%

2% 1%

38%

0%

8%

0%2% 1% 0%

4%

9%

21%

6%

2% 1%

46%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

PC (PUR) PD PIN PNG PNL PPCD(PNTCD)

PRM PSD SocialDemocrat

Roma Partyfrom

Romania


UDMR Other DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Which Roma leader do you think is doing the most for the Roma community? - open ended question, % of those with an opinion -

10%

3% 4%

9%

1%

34%

6%

32%

1% 0%

5%

0% 0%3%

0%

75%

0%

15%

0%2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Other Florin Cioabă Gigi Becali Ion Cioabă Iulian Rădulescu Mădălin Voicu Marian Mareş Nicolae Păun Viorel Bumbu MarianVanghelie

Roma non-Roma

65% of Roma without opinion83% of Romanian without opinion

CURS August 2006

How do you consider yourself from a political orientation point of view?

25%

0%

6%

11%

3%

0% 0%

3%

52%

30%

1%

12% 12%

5%

1%3% 2%

34%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Social democrat /socialist

Communist Liberal Christiandemocrat

Popular Conservative Echologist Other DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Has your community been visited by politicians or political leaders?

32%

60%

8%

30%

55%

15%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Yes No DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

What was the purpose of the visit?% of those from localities visited by political leader / politicians, multiple response

11%

5%

10%

14%12%

33%

1%

14%

23%

11%

1%2%

6%

45%

3%

9%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

To provideinformation about the

party/candidate

To provideinformation about the

government

To provideinformation aboutRoma programs

To get informedabout the priorities

and problems of theRoma community

To offer help To organize electioncampaign

Other DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Where do you most often get information about political party representatives and political institutions?

- multiple response -

0% 0% 0%

9%

12%

33%

2% 2% 2%

17%

14%

0%

8%

1%2%

0% 0%

18%17%

33%

1%2%

4%

11%

9%

0%

3%

0%0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Internet LocalNGOs

Politicians Press Radio TV Leaders ofyour

community

RomaMedia

LocalMedia

Friends Family Other None DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

CURS August 2006

Which sources of information do you believe most? Where do you think the information given is most correct?

- multiple response -

0% 0% 0%

7%

10%

38%

2%1% 1%

11%10%

0%

18%

2%3%

0% 0%

13%

16%

40%

1%0%

1%

5% 5%

0%

14%

2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Internet LocalNGOs

Politicians Press Radio TV Leaders ofyour

community

RomaMedia

LocalMedia

Friends Family Other None DK/NA

Roma non-Roma

Documents

Survey on the Political Participation of Roma in Romania · 2010. 8. 11. · Survey on the Political Participation of Roma in Romania This research was funded by the National Endowment