Three years into his government, President Fernández’s ratings are high. The Listín Diario/Sigma Dos poll indicates that 47.1% of every 100 Dominicans rate President Fernández’s performance as "good" or "very good." 22.9% said it has been "neither good nor bad". And 29.3% say it has been "bad". The poll was carried out 15-20 September and 1,200 persons of voting age were interviewed throughout the nation. The Sigma Dos poll shows that 42.4% of the population feels that things have gotten better during his government, with 37% thinking their situation has worsened, and 19% saying things have stayed the same. 44% responded that during the first three years of the Fernández government the country has progressed more than during previous governments. The government’s ratings are highest in Santo Domingo and the East. Another poll carried out by Hoy newspaper/Hamilton Beattie & Staff, from 17-22 September, showed 45% of the 1,000 persons interviewed felt that President Fernández had done a "good government." According to the Listín Diario/Sigma Dos poll, the areas where Dominicans feel that there has been the most progress are international relations, education, public transport, and public health. Weak points of the government are the economic situation and job situation. Main concerns of Dominicans are the citizen safety and electricity. Dominicans have seen an increase in crime and a return of the blackouts with privatization. The Fernández CDE had practically made blackouts a matter of the past. Now the private companies say they are repairing the lines which have resulted in long blackouts all throughout the nation. The Sigma Dos poll shows there is optimism among the population. 49% trust there are many possibilities for progress, 46% have little hope.
