President Klaus Iohannis is no longer the most trusted politician in Romania, according to an Avangarde survey cited by local Evenimentul Zilei.

Only 35% of Romanians still have confidence in the President, down from 61% in August 2015. Thus, he is no longer first in the ranking, but fourth.

On the other hand, former Prime Minister Victor Ponta has gained some more trust in the last year: 42% of Romanians said they have confidence in Ponta in August 2016, up from 38% in the same month of 2015. Following this increase, Ponta is now first in the ranking.

Bucharest’s new mayor Gabriela Firea comes second, with a share of 41%, followed by Senate president Calin Popescu Tariceanu – 40%. Romania’s current Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos is at number five with a share of 34%, the same as former education minister Ecaterina Andronescu.

Former President Traian Basescu also registered a substantial increase in the percentage of Romanians who have confidence in him, from 21% in August 2015 to 29% now.

When it comes to public institutions, most Romanians trust the Firefighters (89%), followed by the Army (83%), the High Court of Cassation and Justice (58%), the National Anticorruption Department (DNA) – 56%, the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) – 53%, the Anti-Organized Crime Directorate (DIICOT) – 51%, and the school – 50%.

The Police come next in the ranking with a share of 48%. Only 27% of Romanians trust the Government, and 9% have confidence in the Parliament.

The Avangarde survey was carried out between July 25 and August 2 on a sample of 900 people.

Only half of Romanians still have confidence in President Klaus Iohannis

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com