Putin’s Strong State Enables Corruption – Poll

(RIA Novosti – MOSCOW, August 12, 2013) ­ The Kremlin’s centralized control over executive power in Russia facilitates graft, the majority of respondents in a new nationwide poll released Monday said.

Forty-one percent of respondents in a new poll by independent Levada Center say that the “power vertical” which brings regional and municipal authorities under the federal government’s close control and has been a hallmark of President Vladimir Putin’s 13-year rule, aids corruption.

However, 18 percent felt differently ­ saying it helps fight corruption, 23 percent said it has no impact and 17 percent were undecided.

In what looks like further indication of this dissatisfaction, 55 percent said the main issue Russia currently faces is bringing the authorities under greater public control, against 35 percent who prioritize strengthening state governance.

These figures are close to those given in 2001 ­ a year after Putin came to power. At the height of Putin’s popularity, in 2006, respondents were evenly split on whether Russia needs a stronger state or stronger public control over the state.

Graft, the establishment’s self-serving nature and disregard for society were named the defining features of Russia’s authorities in this year’s poll ­ unchanged from previous polls in 2012, 2010 and 2001.

Meanwhile, when asked about how they would like Russia to be governed, poll respondents prioritized government based on the Constitution, public control, and meritocratic principles.

The poll covered 1,600 respondents nationwide and had a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.

Disappointment in Putin has doubled since 2001, another Levada poll showed last week. However, the 60-year-old president still has the majority of the population’s tentative support, though many said they are only backing him for lack of alternatives.