MARCH 2016 IRES SURVEY ON THE ROMANIAN ROYAL HOUSE (PART TWO)
When asked to rate their view on the importance of the role that the Kings of Romania had played in Romanian history, respondents signified that those Kings who have had the greatest importance were (nearing a 'crucial' role) first King Mihai I (average of 8.36) and then King Carol I (average of 8.16).
On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means very low, and 10 means very high, regarding
the prestige the member of the Royal House brings to Romania, King Mihai I is rated with an average of 8.55, the prestige brought by Princess Margareta is rated with an average of 8.17; respondents' assessment for the member of the Royal House with the lowest average for prestige is Prince Radu (7.20).
The dignity brought to Romanians by King Mihai I was evaluated on the same scale, with an average of 8.67, then Princess Margareta at 8.25, and finally Prince Radu with 7.40. Of the three aspects investigated, the worst assessed is
hope for the future that is brought to the country by the Royal Family; on this point averages of evaluations for members of the Royal House are closer than in other areas; both King Mihai I and Princess Margareta rated between 7.85 - 7.80.
Almost two thirds of respondents who have heard of the Royal House of Romania declare that they are aware of who will succeed King Mihai I in representing the institution. The lowest proportion of study participants who say they know who this person is can be found among young people (18-35 years) and the highest percentage among those who are older than 65 years, among the highly educated, those living in urban areas and in the south of Romania.
71% of those who say they are aware of this information name Princess Margareta as the person who will in future head the Royal House of Romania, while another 15% recall that the first in the line of succession would "a daughter of the King," without specifying which of the daughters of King Mihai I it is to whom they refer. About six in ten people surveyed who know who is to represent Royal House of Romania in the future have much or very much confidence in this person, and three in ten have little or very little confidence. Women, people aged over 65, with elementary education who live in the South, Bucharest and Dobrogea tend to trust much or very much higher proportions.
Regarding the information that the institution of the Royal House officially bears the name of "Royal House of Romania", having given up the name of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen from 10 May 2011, about a third of those who have heard of the Royal House are familiar with this development. This information is known in higher proportions of respondents aged 51 and 65, among people with higher education and residents of the city.
King Mihai I in the Romanian Conscience
99% of respondents have heard of King Mihai I, slightly lower percentages were recorded in rural areas and in Moldova. When asked about the feelings that arise upon mention of King Mihai I, more than a quarter of respondents did not answer or did not know to offer a response in this regard. Of the 49% of respondents who provided an answer to this question, King Mihai I fostered, for the most part, positive feelings among more than half of respondents. The more prevalent sentiments upon mention of King Mihai I among those interviewed are: respect (11%), trust (6%), compassion, patriotism, nostalgia (3% each). 1% of respondents reported that King Mihai I caused negative feelings and the other 15% reported that King Mihai I does not evoke any feelings.
King Mihai I is the personality that more than half of respondents (54%) associate with the title of "King of Romania" at the expense of King Carol I (22%), of Ferdinand I (10%) or Carol II (4%). The proportion of those who make this association increases with age and decreases with level of education. Respondents from rural areas and women were more likely to respond that the title of King of Romania is mostly associated with Mihai I.
Concerning the deteriorating health of King Mihai I, most of the Romanians interviewed (92%) had heard of this development; the proportion of those who know of this situation is higher among those aged between 51 and 65, people with higher education and respondents from the southern regions of the country. Compared to people of other ages, a high percentage of study participants aged between 18 and 35 years have never heard of the King's poor health (22.5%).
"Royal" Knowledge among Romanians
Only 16% of respondents know that Royalty Day [10 May] is celebrated in Romania. They are found in higher proportions among males, persons aged over 65, those who are educated, the urban and those living in southern areas of the country.
Correct meanings of the date of 10 May in history are not known by two-thirds of the respondents. Those who say they know the significance of this day remember primarily the coronation of Carol I (12%) and Romania's day of independence (6%). The beginning of the reign of Carol I is mentioned with higher proportions among men, people living in the city and in the south.
12% of respondents in the survey say they celebrate Royalty Day.
About half (51%) of respondents say they are aware that 2016 is a jubilee celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Royal House of Romania, but also the foundation of the modern Romanian state. People with higher education say they know this in a greater proportion than those with elementary education, and more in urban areas than in rural areas. In addition, the percentage of those who know of this jubilee increases with age. Respondents from Transylvania and Banat declare to a lesser extent than respondents from other regions that they are informed on this issue.
Monarchy vs. Republic
Almost two thirds of respondents believe that Romania would have evolved for the better if after the revolution of 1989 the country would have opted to restore the monarchy. The percentages of those who support this are higher according to respondents' age. The proportion of those who argue that it would have been better for Romania to reinstate the monarchy after 1989 are higher among men and people in urban areas.
About seven in ten respondents did not know or did not respond when asked which is the main advantage of the republic; 11% of respondents mentioning the right to vote and elect the representativeness as the most important strength of the republic. The percentage of those who did not know or did not respond to the question was less when the respondents were asked about the main advantage of the monarchy (about six out of ten). Respondents mention the main advantages of the monarchy would be better external relations / increased national security (8%).
More than a quarter of respondents, when asked what is currently the best system for Romanian government did not know how to answer this question. However, 47% indicate a republic is the best system and 19% indicated a monarchy is the best system. Respondents opting for the monarchy were more likely to be found among men, people living in urban areas of the south, those between the ages of 36 and 65, but also through those with higher education.
In the event of a referendum on the form of government for Romania, with the options being between choosing a monarchy or a republic, 62% of respondents said they would opt for the maintenance of the republic, while 21% say they would prefer the transition to a monarchy.
This data is part of the study "Royal House of Romania at 150 Years - Perceptions and Representations" made by the Romanian Institute for Evaluation and Strategy - IRES Magazine between 23 to 24 March 2016. SUMMARY based on a total sample of 1,073 subjects aged over 18 years, representing the adult population of Romania, margin of error of ± 3%. The study was conducted by CATI method (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing).
Source:
IRES - Royal House of Romania: Perceptions and Representations
