Only 7% Russians have positive attitude to State Duma deputies – poll

(Interfax – MOSCOW, April 25, 2013) Russians firstly have negative associations regarding a State Duma deputy and many consider deputies to be dishonest, self-seeking and away from people, the poll of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) showed.

The main associations Russians have with a State Duma deputy are: “a corrupt official” (20%), “greed for gain” (9%) and negative emotions in general (11%), VTsIOM sociologists told Interfax.

The poll showed that 11% associated a State Duma deputy with “authority”, 5% with “passing laws”, 4% with “a state official”, 4% with “people’s choice” and 2% with “deputy’s immunity and privileges”.

Five percent pictured a State Duma deputy as “a defender of people’s interests” and 2% as “a clever, educated and nice person.”

Russians have contradicting ideas of a typical State Duma deputy: on the one hand, educated (57%), good speaker (56%), professional (42%) and charming (38%), on the other hand, self-seeking (60%), away from people (57%), dishonest (53%), with no principles (45%) and irresponsible (42%). The number of people considering a State Duma deputy charming and those opposed is fairly close: 31% said deputies were ordinary and 35% charismatic.

The poll, held in 130 settlements in 42 Russian regions, territories and republics, showed that 37% of respondents said that deputies’ job was to pass laws, 18% to take care of people, 5% to deal with state affairs and 4% to discuss important issues. Twelve percent think that deputies do nothing, 6% deputies resolve their personal issues and 4% are wealth-driven.