New Poll Finds Iraqis Favor Unity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2006

Washington, D.C. --A new poll released by the International Republican Institute (IRI) found Iraqis strongly oppose the idea of segregating the country. Seventy-eight percent strongly disagree or disagree with the idea of segregating Iraqis according to religious or ethnic sects. An overwhelming majority, 89 percent, believe that a unity government is extremely important to Iraq's future.

Iraqis also indicated support for Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and the new government. Fifty-five percent approve of the way Prime Minister Al-Maliki is handling his job and 58 percent of Iraqis indicated they are very confident or somewhat confident in the new government compared to 27 percent who are somewhat unconfident or not confident. With this new government in place, 41 percent of Iraqis now feel the country is on the right track, compared to 30 percent in the last IRI poll (Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, March 23 - 31, 2006).

Security, infrastructure and economic development are the most pressing issues facing the country according to respondents. As the new government begins its work, 51 percent of Iraqis feel security should be the highest priority for the new government, 33 percent listed it as the second and third priority. Twenty-three percent responded that improving Iraq's infrastructure should be the highest priority, with 48 percent listing it second and third. Only seven percent of Iraqis listed economic development as the highest priority, however, 47 percent listed it as the second and third priority.

More than 2,800 face-to-face interviews were conducted from June 14-24, 2006. Interviews were conducted in all of Iraq's 18 governorates. The margin of error is plus or minus three percent. The new poll is attached and can be found at www.iri.org.

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Link to current poll:

Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, June 14 - 24, 2006

Links to past polls and releases:

New Poll Finds Iraqis Favor a Unity Government to Lead the Country: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, March 23 – 31, 2006

Overwhelming Majority of Iraqis Plan to Vote Thursday: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, November 30 – December 7, 2005

Overwhelming Majority of Iraqis Plan to Vote in December: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, November 1 – 11, 2005

Overwhelming Majority of Iraqis Plan to Vote in Tomorrow's Referendum: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, October 9 - 11, 2005

Overwhelming Majority of Iraqis Plan to Vote in Constitutional Referendum: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, September 6 - 12, 2005

Majority of Iraqis are Confident in National Assembly and Constitutional Committee: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, July 9 - 14, 2005

Majority of Iraqis Want Human Rights Protected in Constitution: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, April 11-20, 2005

Optimism Continues after Iraq's Historic Election: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, February 27 – March 5, 2005

On Eve of Historic Election, Survey Shows Iraqis Eager to Vote: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, January 13 - 24, 2005

Iraqis Remain Committed to Elections: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, December 26, 2004 - January 7, 2005

Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, November 24 – December 5, 2004

Optimistic Outlook on the Future and Support for Democracy Continues in Iraq: Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, September 24 - October 4, 2004

Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, July 24 - August 2, 2004

Survey of Iraqi Public Opinion, May 27 - June 11, 2004

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