Half of Polled Russians Support Gradual Reform, One Fifth Want Radical Change

MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) – Russians support the country’s president, stress the need for reform and believe that there will be changes for the better in political and economic life in the nearest future, sociological studies indicate.

Currently 67% of Russians support the efforts of Vladimir Putin as president while 32% don’t and the rest are undecided, Interfax was told at Levada Center on Wednesday based on the results of a nation-wide poll conducted in October.

Nevertheless, three quarters of respondents spoke out for change. Some expect resolute steps, even a change in the system of government, claiming that half-measures produce nothing (20%), while others (56%) favor gradual changes and believe that the government is working in the right direction and in the right pace.

Every tenth respondent (10%) was satisfied with everything and convinced that “nothing should be changed as the current stability benefits the country.”

The poll, conducted in 45 regions throughout Russia, indicated that resolute changes are demanded primarily by men (24%), people aged 40-54 (23%), with low educational achievement (23%), average income (22%), living in rural areas (21%) or in medium-sized cities (24%).

Those who favor gradual change are mainly women (38%), respondents over age 55 (41%), those with a higher or full secondary education (39% and 40% respectively), low consumer status (42%), living in the countryside (41%) or small towns (38%).

Half of respondents (50%) did not expect life to deteriorate in a year’s time, while every fifth (19%) hoped that it would grow better and every sixth (17%) made pessimistic forecasts.

Meanwhile, 41% of respondents expected the political situation to improve and 39% expect the economic situation to improve in the next few months. At the same time, 31% and 37% respectively didn’t rule out changes for the worse.

Regular studies conducted by Levada Center also show that the material status of Russians has not worsened during the past year. Now, like in November of last year, 63% of respondents said the living standards of their families remained unchanged, 12% reported improvements and 24% reported a decline.

Most of those polled (59%) expect that the material side of their life will not change during the next year and some even expect improvements (14%).