Opposition protests change nothing in Russia – poll

(Interfax – Dec. 13, 2012) Mass protests in Russia, such as For Fair Elections, March of Millions and others that have taken place in the country since the end of 2011, are now supported by 40 per cent of Russians. As many people (41 per cent) are against them and others could not say (19 per cent ), Russian Interfax news agency reported on 13 December, quoting the results of an opinion poll carried out by sociologists in 45 Russian regions in 23-26 November.

Only a quarter of respondents (25 per cent) believe that these opposition actions have brought positive results and improved the situation in the country, while a majority (58 per cent) believe the opposite, Interfax learnt at the Levada Centre.

Only 22 per cent of the respondents are ready to take part in protests against vote rigging, and 68 per cent said they would abstain.

The Levada Centre’s latest poll showed that currently 57 per cent of Russians do not support the slogan “Russia without Putin” and “Putin must go”.

Only 7 per cent of Russians definitely support these demands and another 18 per cent rather support them.

Of the famous people who are considered to be in opposition, the most trusted are businessman Mikhail Prokhorov and politician Sergey Mironov – they are trusted by 8 per cent each. Next on the list are journalist Leonid Parfenov (4 per cent), politician Grigoriy Yavlinsky and rock musician Yuriy Shevchuk (3 per cent each). Fifty-four per cent of the respondents said none of these politicians and public figures can not be trusted.

The top five most popular representatives of the non-parliamentary opposition are Vladimir Ryzhkov and Boris Nemtsov (they are trusted by 3 per cent of the respondents each), Garri Kasparov, Mikhail Kasyanov and Aleksey Navalnyy (2 per cent each).

One in five (20 per cent) said that the opposition has a clear programme on how to improve the situation in the country. They are opposed by 57 per cent of the respondents who say that the opposition only criticizes the government, having no constructive plan.

The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) has also recorded a drop in protest activities.

According to a poll carried out in 138 towns and villages in 46 Russian regions, opposition rallies are now supported by 27 per cent, and only 10 per cent said they might take part in them. For comparison, a year ago the level of support was much higher – 40 per cent. One third of Russians said they are indifferent to such actions (34 per cent). Slightly more respondents are against opposition rallies (35 per cent), and since last year this number has increased by three percentage points.

Those who said they might take part in opposition protests are mainly supporters of non-parliamentary parties (20 per cent) and residents of Moscow and St Petersburg (17 per cent). Those who support protests although are not ready to take part in them personally are followers of the Liberal Democratic Party (30 per cent) and residents of large cities (22 per cent).

Those who are indifferent to protests are mainly supporters of One Russia (United Russia) (39%) and rural residents (36 per cent), and those who are against them are also followers of One Russia (41 per cent) and residents of medium-sized cities (37 per cent).