The All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Advanced Legal Initiatives" conducted a large-scale sociological survey, polling 5,011 respondents both in Ukraine and abroad from October 18 to 20, 2024. The focus of the survey was on citizens' attitudes towards tax increases, politician ratings, potential ways to end the war, and other issues.

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The news about the tax increase, which was voted for by 246 members of parliament at the beginning of October, was received negatively by Ukrainians.

According to the survey, 57.83% of Ukrainians view the recent decision of the Verkhovna Rada to raise taxes unfavorably, with another 35.30% expressing a very negative opinion. Only 3.97% support this decision, justifying it as a necessary measure to attract additional funds during the war.

At the same time, over 96% of respondents consider this tax increase an unjust step, and 90.16% believe it is extremely unacceptable under the conditions of martial law.

Among the reasons for the tax increase, citizens cite government unprofessionalism (42.13%), misunderstanding of economic processes (30.17%), and possible agreements with oligarchs (23.07%).

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The majority of respondents support alternative sources for budget replenishment: 47.81% believe these funds can be obtained from frozen Russian assets, while 44% advocate for increasing taxes on oligarchs and large business groups.

"We conducted the research right after the law was passed and saw a very negative attitude from the electorate. Only 4% support this decision, justifying it as necessary to attract additional funds during the war. However, the majority of respondents—96%—are convinced that the tax burden during the war should only be increased for oligarchic business groups, not for citizens or small businesses. The law passed is an example of an extremely unpopular step by the authorities, which will subsequently have a negative electoral impact on the political forces that supported the tax increase...,” says Natalia Yakymchuk, head of the research project, sociologist-marketer at the Public Organization "PLI".

The survey also revealed that 87.63% of Ukrainians disapprove of the current government's policies. Respondents point to corruption (30.3%), repressive mobilization (17.53%), and unjustified increases in housing and utility tariffs (12.48%) as the main reasons for their dissatisfaction.

Regarding political preferences, if presidential elections were held today, 15.98% of respondents would support Volodymyr Zelensky, 12.07% would vote for Yulia Tymoshenko, and 7.24% would back Petro Poroshenko.

In the Verkhovna Rada, according to respondents’ estimates, the parties of Zelensky (13.97%), "Batkivshchyna" (11.41%), and EuroSolidarity (6.43%) have chances of passing.

"Looking at the research over the past six months, we can state that the rating of the current president has stabilized. His rating and that of Yulia Tymoshenko have increased by nearly the same amount—almost 1%—between the last two waves of surveys. At the same time, the share of respondents who are undecided about their political preferences has increased by 5.41%, and those who will not go to the polls by 2.62%, meaning one in four is undecided—25%—which is a significant number regarding the future direction of the country...", notes sociologist Natalia Yakymchuk.

Ukrainians shared their opinions regarding their stance on the war and the formula for future peace. The end of the war is envisioned by 56.46% of Ukrainians as the restoration of territorial integrity within the borders of 1991 and joining the EU and NATO. However, 43.54% support the possibility of bilateral negotiations for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Surveyed Ukrainians also expressed their views on holding a referendum on peace agreements with Russia: 42.91% support this idea, 40.11% oppose it, and about 17% have no clear stance.

When asked about compromises during potential negotiations, 52.9% believe that Ukraine should demand a return to the 1991 borders and NATO membership, while 47.10% are willing to agree to a freeze of the conflict along the front line and integration of non-occupied territories into the EU and NATO.