More than 4,000 people answered 29 questions, focusing on controversial issues such as increased defense spending and the growing distrust of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The Center for Sociological Research (CIS) surprised everyone with its July barometer this Monday. More than 4,000 people answered 29 questions, focusing on controversial issues such as increased defense spending, controversies with the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and the growing distrust of the leader of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez.

The growing distrust following cases of alleged corruption in the government has taken its toll on Sánchez. According to the latest report, 50.4 percent of respondents said they had no confidence in him and 23.2 percent little confidence in him. This would mean that 73.4 percent of respondents have little or no confidence in the current Prime Minister. This is understandable, since the Barometer ranked corruption and fraud as the second most common concern among Spaniards, just 0.5 points behind housing.

Trust issues

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, for his part, has suffered the same fate. 34.6 percent say they have little confidence in him, and 43.5 percent say they have no confidence at all, which shows that 78.1 percent of those surveyed also have no confidence in the possible alternative to Sánchez.

In any case, the citizens surveyed, specifically 34.4 percent, continue to prefer Pedro Sánchez as Prime Minister. Feijóo and Abascal are behind him, tied at 17.4 percent.

The lack of trust in Pedro Sánchez is not related to the public's assessment of him. According to the study, the current leader of the Executive is the politician who receives the highest rating compared to the other candidates, although none of them even manage to pass. Sánchez would obtain a 3.99 out of 10, Yolanda Díaz a 3.97, Feijóo a 3.83, and Santiago Abascal, the lowest rated, a 3.15.

It was also striking that 80.4 percent of participants were unfamiliar with the Minister of Youth and Children, Sira Rego, and that 84.8 percent were unfamiliar with the Spanish Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz.

Defense spending as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has also been one of the key issues addressed by the CIS, led by Tezanos. The controversy between Donald Trump, President of the United States of America (USA), and Pedro Sánchez, leader of the Spanish government, which marked the last NATO summit, is a source of concern for Spaniards.

According to the survey's responses, nearly 30% of respondents agree with Trump's position of allocating 5% of GDP to defense, while more than 70% agree that this decision would entail significant tax increases and/or a significant reduction in wages and social spending. Finally, more than 70% of respondents believe this issue is very or fairly important.