MOSCOW, February 24, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data on the awareness of Russians about particular arrangements between Russia and other countries, and their opinion towards providing material assistance to allies in time of crisis.
There is no consensus among Russians on whether Russia should or should not provide material assistance to its allies in time of crisis. 49% of respondents believe that Russian authorities should use all the money to sustain Russia's economy in time of crisis; on the contrary, 42% consider that even in crisis it is important to protect Russia's interests in the world which requires financial support of its allies. The first point of view is mostly shared by supporters of such parties as "United Russia" and CPRF (49% and 48% respectively), the second - by those Russians who back "Fair Russia" party (55%).
Opinions divided also over the benefits that Russia could get from granting loans to other countries. 47% of our respondents believe that this is irrevocable waste of money, and Russia will not get anything worth in return (those who think so are mostly CPRF party adherents - 53%). On the contrary, 40% of Russians believe that money that Russia lends to other countries now will bring benefits in the future and even now ("Fair Russia" supporters mostly tend to think so). 14% were undecided.
Russians do not have clear position on what money should be spent on. 46% are confident that even relatively modest amount of money should not be allocated to provide assistance to other countries; money should only be spent on the country's own needs. Slightly less share of Russians (40%), vice versa, consider that money that Russia lends to its allies are not so big, but the political and economic impact is massive. The first point of view is mainly shared by supporters of such parties as CPRF (55%), and the other one is held by "United Russia" (53%). 15% were undecided.
The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on February 14-15, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.
The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
What is your opinion towards Russian material assistance to the allies? (close-ended question) | ||||||
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| Political parties` adherents | ||||
| Total respondents | United Russia | CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | Democrats (Pravoe Delo + Yabloko) |
In time of crisis the authorities should use all the funds to sustain its own economy, they should not spend them to make any assistance to other countries | 49 | 49 | 48 | 44 | 35 | 38 |
Even in time of crisis Russia should protect its interest all over the world, and, in its turn, that requires financial support of Russian allies | 42 | 44 | 44 | 51 | 55 | 50 |
Difficult to tell | 9 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 13 |
What is your opinion towards Russian material assistance to the allies? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
|
| Political parties` adherents | ||||
| Total respondents | United Russia | CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | Democrats (Pravoe Delo + Yabloko) |
Russia is wasting money giving credits to other countries; Russia receives nothing in return | 47 | 46 | 53 | 47 | 20 | 50 |
Money that Russia lends to other countries are investments that will pay off in the future | 40 | 43 | 38 | 49 | 57 | 44 |
Difficult to tell | 14 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 22 | 6 |
What is your opinion towards Russian material assistance to the allies? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
|
| Political parties` adherents | ||||
| Total respondents | United Russia | CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | Democrats (Pravoe Delo + Yabloko) |
Money that Russia allocates to support its allies are not so big, but the economic effect would be significant | 40 | 41 | 31 | 50 | 53 | 25 |
In time of crisis we should not provide even relatively modest assistance to other countries; Russia should spend money only on its own needs. | 46 | 46 | 55 | 43 | 35 | 50 |
Difficult to tell | 15 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 25 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,
the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!