Syrians Don't Recognise Their Politicians

Most Syrians do not know the names of government ministers and are unsatisfied with their overall performance, said an article in the pro-government newspaper Khabar.



On January 25, the newspaper published the results of a survey in which students, doctors, journalists and other professionals were asked to name government ministers.



Foreign minister Walid al-Muallem was the figure most frequently identified. Information Minister Muhsen Bilal came second, while Finance Minister Mohammad al-Hussain was third.



Of those questioned, journalists had the most success in identifying ministers, since they often use them as sources for their stories.



But not everyone surveyed believed it was necessary to be able to identify politicians.



“Why should we know their names?” asked one 70-year-old man. “We don’t see them, they don’t see us. Even when they appear on TV, we change channel because we know they have nothing relevant to say.”