Zone 1- Asia Summary, Week # 107

MIDDLE EAST
PM Netanyahu’s Likud Still Favoured in Israel
The political party of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to draw high popular support, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot. A prospective tally of seats shows that the Likud party would get 32 seats in the Knesset in the next legislative election.
February 20, 2010
Likud Extends Lead Over Kadima in Israel
Israel’s governing party is the most popular in the country a year after the last legislative ballot, according to a poll by Dialog published in Haaretz. A prospective tally of seats shows that the Likud party would garner 35 seats in the next election to the Knesset, up three since July 2009.
February 15, 2010
WEST & CENTRAL ASIA
Fewer Afghans Optimistic About Future
The number of people in Afghanistan thinking that their country is heading in the right direction has decreased since mid-2009, according to a poll by the International Republican Institute (IRI). 56 per cent of respondents say things are going well, down six points since last July.
February 14, 2010
Tajikistanis Expect Fair Election This Year
Most people in Tajikistan expect this month’s legislative election to be fair, according to a poll by IFES. 68 per cent of respondents share this view, while only 11 per cent think the ballot will not be fair.
February 16, 2010
EAST ASIA
Cambodians Clearly Optimistic About Future
A large majority of people in Cambodia think their country is heading in the right direction, according to a poll by the International Republican Institute (IRI). 79 per cent of respondents share this view, while 20 per cent say things are not heading the right way.
February 18, 2010
JAPAN & KOREAS
DPJ Candidates Have Upper Hand in Japan
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is slightly more popular than the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of this year’s upper house election, according to a poll by Kyodo News. 33.6 per cent of respondents would cast their proportional representation ballot for the DPJ in the election to the House of Councillors, while 23.4 per cent would back the LDP representatives.
February 16, 2010
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.