Only 6% of Russians attest decline in corruption – poll

(Interfax – MOSCOW. April 5, 2013) Corruption levels in Russia are high, in the opinion of 80% of citizens. Some 43% argue corruption rates are growing, 40% say there is no change, and only 6% see a downward trend.

The Public Opinion Foundation polled 1,500 respondents in 100 towns and cities in 43 regions in late March.

Most Russians (68%) described anti-corruption measures as the number one task of the government, and 20% said the government had more important tasks to tackle.

Far from all citizens believe Russia can substantially cut corruption within the next few years: 64% doubt success of anti-corruption efforts, 22% are hopeful, and 24% do not make forecasts. Voters of United Russia (30%) and A Just Russia (19%) tend to be optimistic, while voters of the Communist Party (67%) and the Liberal Democratic (61%) do not.

Speaking of urgent measures capable of reducing corruption levels in Russia, the respondents proposed severe punishment for bribery (17%), impoundment of property of corrupt officials (15%), tighter control over public servants (12%), stricter anti-corruption laws and a reshuffle of the authorities on various levels (6%).

Seventy-nine percent of Russians know about the proposal to prohibit foreign bank accounts of State Duma deputies, and 83% approve of this step, the foundation said.

Still, opinions about the efficiency of this proposal differ.

Some 44% of the respondents think the measure can curb down corruption. The opinion is mostly expressed by villagers (52%), respondents ages 45 to 54 (51%) and people in small towns (50%). Some 31% are non-believers (mostly voters of Mikhail Prokhorov and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, 46% and 44% correspondingly), and 25% abstain from forecasts.