Hoy newspaper is publishing the results of a survey conducted from 7 to 10 February by pollsters Hamilton, Beattie & Smith, in which 90 percent of those questioned say there is corruption in the present government. The number of people of this opinion is up from 83 percent in August 2002 and 74 percent in August 2001.
Fifty-eight percent say that the corruption within the Mejia government is greater than in governments past, up from 41 percent in August 2002.
Fifty percent feel that President Mejia would like to run again in 2004, while 38 percent feel he has no interest in re-election.
When Dominicans of voting age were asked which issues should top the national agenda, they responded:
More jobs – 42%
Reduction of prices of basic goods ? 41%
Combat poverty – 29%
Less blackouts ? 15%
Improve services at public hospitals ? 14%
Fight against corruption ? 10%
Reducing the external debt ? 10%
Improve public education ? 9%
Safety of citizens ?7%
The poll also showed that 95 percent of Dominicans oppose a US war with Iraq.