Interfax: Poll shows quarter of Russians say political, economic protests possible

Moscow Protest File Photo

(Interfax – MOSCOW – September 28, 2017)

An overwhelming majority of Russians, 69 percent, believe that mass protests against deteriorating living standards or in defense of people’s rights are unlikely in Russia, the Levada Analytical Center told Interfax, down from 74 percent in February.

Twenty-six percent of the 1,600 respondents polled in 137 populated localities in 48 regions on Sept. 15-19 said the protests were certainly possible, up from 19 percent in February, Levada said.

Fourteen percent of respondents said they would be ready to join mass protests (12 percent in February), and 80 percent had no such inclination (82 percent in February).

In the opinion of 21 percent of respondents, political demonstrations may occur in the near future (14 percent in February), 73 percent maintain the opposite (79 percent in February), and 6 percent are undecided.

Only 11 percent of respondents said they were ready to join such events, while 82 percent said the opposite.

 

Comment