Libyans Remain Optimistic About the Country's Future, Despite Security Concerns

Despite the slow pace of Libya’s political transition and continuing security concerns, a new public opinion survey reveals that Libyans remain optimistic about the country’s future even though they believe the government’s performance is poor and they voice growing dissatisfaction with Libya’s elected legislature, the General National Congress (GNC.) The survey also details citizen’s opinions on the development of Libya’s new constitution, the status of women, and views on Libyan political parties and leaders.

NDI, in partnership with Copenhagen-based JMW Consulting and the Libyan firm Diwan Market Research, surveyed 1,200 randomly selected Libyan nationals from across the country, ages 18 and older, from September 10 to 30.

The nationwide survey is the second in a three-part series launched in May to evaluate changes in Libyan public opinion as the political transition proceeds. Findings from the current survey reveal that most Libyans view elected institutions, leaders, and political parties with increasing negativity. At the same time, a majority of Libyans still believe democracy is the best form of government, and they associate democracy with elections and the protection of rights and freedoms. The findings provide Libyan leaders in political parties, civil society organizations and the government with timely, relevant information on public opinion that can inform policies and make them more responsive to citizens’ interests and needs.

Some key findings from the poll:

Eighty-five percent of Libyans say that democracy is the best form of government and 89 percent identify elections, protection of rights and freedoms, and the right to criticize those in power as the most important characteristics of democracy.
Sixty percent of Libyans now describe the GNC’s performance as poor, a 23-point drop in favorability from survey findings in May.
Seventy-one percent of Libyans say that women should play a greater role in politics and 78 percent support a quota to ensure women’s representation in a future national legislature.
Only 32 percent of Libyans think that the country is better off now than before the 2011 revolution, however 65 percent believe that in three years, Libya will be better off.
Ninety-two percent of Libyans identify the right to education, right to medical care, right to work, and protection from torture or inhumane treatment as very important principles to enshrine in the new constitution.
Libyans overwhelmingly support efforts to disarm militias that do not presently abide by government authority, regardless of whether these militias were formed during or after the 2011 revolution.
Only 25 percent of Libyans feel Shari’a (Islamic law) should be the sole source of legislation in the new constitution, down from 37 percent who held the same view in May.
This survey, the second of three NDI isl undertaking as part of its ongoing public opinion program in Libya, was funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Published Nov. 26, 2013