Trust in politics hits low

Greeks show faith in firefighters but score food firms poorly

Firefighters and the national weather service are among the most trusted institutions in Greece, according to the results of a study made public yesterday which also showed the enormous distrust Greeks have of the government and political parties.

The survey, prepared for the first time by researchers Public Issue, shows the level of trust shown in different institutions, including state services, professional organizations, different media organizations and independent bodies, such a regulators.

The survey scored the trust level shown in firefighters at 1,500 points – a trend also seen in other countries.

The National Meteorological Service (EMY) came second in the Greek index of confidence in institutions with 1,483 points on rising concerns about environment and global warming, according to researchers.

At the other end of the scale, the government and the political parties scored 22 and 16 points respectively.

Institutions that score below 100 indicate distrust being showed by those questioned.

The figures are seen as a clear sign that the blame for the summer’s devastating fires has been placed on the government’s shoulders and not with firefighters.

One noticeable absence from the top positions was the Orthodox Church, which is normally among the country’s most trusted bodies.

On the corporate front, IT and technology firms topped the trust list followed by private hospitals.

Coming in a distant third position were mobile phone firms, followed by advertising companies.

Food producers were at the bottom of the list, showing that Greeks do not trust what they put on their plates.

The Public Issue survey is the first of its kind in Greece and will be held every year while also being taken in other European countries.

The survey examines people’s attitudes to 46 institutions.

When it comes to being informed, radio was judged to be the most trusted means with a score of 242, while the credibility of newspapers and television reports came in at second and third place with 97 and 48 points respectively.