A poll published by AIM shows a clear political perception of the role of SHISH/SHIK over the years: most respondents say the institution was more problematic when the PD was in power. The result comes from a direct question on a sensitive issue, where the answers reflect public perception more than any institutional verification of the claims.
How the poll was conducted
According to the published data, the survey was carried out electronically with adult residents across the country. The sample included 1,350 respondents selected at random.
According to the organizers, the sample was statistically calibrated to represent the adult population as closely as possible from demographic, geographic, educational and political perspectives. The maximum margin of statistical error was reported at plus/minus 2.6%.
The question asked about SHISH/SHIK
The main question in the poll was: “When has SHISH/SHIK been more problematic?” The wording itself places the debate on a comparative level between periods of power, rather than on a documented measurement of institutional responsibility.
For precisely this reason, the result should be read as an indicator of respondents’ perceptions of the relationship between the intelligence service and political power.
The result: most point to periods of PD government
According to the poll, nearly two-thirds of respondents believe SHISH/SHIK was more problematic during periods when the PD was in power.
On the other hand, 28.9% of participants said the institution was more problematic when the PS was in power, while 6% were undecided.
How the answers break down by political leaning
The published data show that among those who see SHISH/SHIK as more problematic during periods of PD government, the majority are Socialist voters. However, this group also includes non-voters and voters of smaller parties.
On the other side, those who believe the institution was more problematic during PS rule are, according to the reported results, almost all PD-ASHM voters. This makes the political weight of perceptions about security institutions even more apparent.
The poll provides a snapshot of the political divide in public opinion on SHISH/SHIK, but not conclusive proof about the institution’s actual performance in each period.
In such a sensitive field, where transparency has often been limited, public perception remains important, but not sufficient to close the debate over the relationship between intelligence services and power.