VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey data suggest that most of Russians have positive emotions about the Belarusian president but they are more categorical when assessing his political position towards Russia.
MOSCOW, April 3, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to Russian attitudes towards the president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
Russians are mainly positive and neutral towards Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. According to the daily omnibus survey data, 27% of Russians assess him in a positive way; 54% point out certain shortcomings saying at the same time that they respect the choice of the Belarusian people (in contrast, this share was 34% in 2008).
The share of respondents who express positive emotions such as respect and trust has considerably increased compared to 2006 (from 19% to 35%; from 8% to 17%, respectively); a further 17% express their liking. Distrust is the most common negative emotions (12%).
However, when assessing the Lukashenko’s political standspoint, most of respondents (73%) agree that he bluffs and supports Russia only if needed while conducting his own independent policy. Seventeen percent of Russians believe that the Belarusian leader adheres to pro-Russia policy (25% of the 18-24-year-olds).
The VCIOM-Sputnik initiative all-Russian survey was conducted on February 8-9, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1200 respondents. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Results for 2004-2009 are based on household surveys.
What are your attitudes towards the president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||
| 2004 | 2005 | 2008 | 2009 | 2017 |
I like and respect him | 15 | 25 | 34 | 28 | 27 |
There are things that I don’t like but I respect the choice of the Belarusian people | 35 | 40 | 34 | 39 | 54 |
I think Belarus need another, more considerable leader | 37 | 22 | 13 | 18 | 12 |
Don’t know | 13 | 13 | 19 | 15 | 7 |
What emotions do you have about Alexander Lukashenko? (closed-ended question, not more than two answers, %) | ||
| 2006 | 2017 |
Positive feelings | ||
Respect | 19 | 35 |
Liking | 13 | 17 |
Trust | 8 | 17 |
Hope | 5 | 9 |
Admiration | 4 | 3 |
Love | 0 | 1 |
Negative feelings | ||
Distrust | 8 | 12 |
Disappointment | 5 | 6 |
Antipathy | 5 | 3 |
Skepsis | 3 | 3 |
Condemnation | 2 | 2 |
Hatred | 1 | 0 |
Neutral feelings | ||
Indifference | 28 | 24 |
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Don’t know | 9 | 5 |
Which of the following statements do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Lukashenko is Russia’s true friend, consequently, he conducts pro-Russian policy | 17 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 16 |
Lukashenko is a sly politician who supports Moscow only to get loans and oil and gas discounts but actually he conducts an independent policy | 73 | 68 | 71 | 72 | 76 | 73 |
Don’t know | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!