Billboards during last 2010 presidential election; photo - PAP

Over 20 years since the fall of communism, three out of four Poles consider democracy the best form of governance.

Seventy six percent interviewed by the TNS OBOP research office said that democracy was the best of all known forms of government.

Fourteen percent thought democracy a failure.

Comparing results from the same poll carried out 14 years ago, OBOP researchers found that the level of support for democracy has not altered much, in spite of changes of ruling parties and figures at the top.

In 1996, 78 percent of Poles were happy with democracy, 12 percent expressed critical opinions.

When asked whether democracy should be replaced by one strong figure of authority, or dictatorship, 71 percent said they disagree in 1996 and 73 percent now.

But support for democracy does not translate into support for politicians in general: in 1996 79 percent said they believed that “regardless of what most politicians say, they mostly care about their own careers”.

The survey was carried out between 7-10 October 2010 on a representative of 1000 inhabitants aged over 15. (ek/pg)