Russians believe that the Constitution is not sufficiently respected in Russia. Most of problems deal with the observance of social and economic rights of citizens.
MOSCOW, December 12, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to Russian Constitution Day.
Most of Russians (61%) consider that the Russian Constitution (adopted on December 12, 1993) generally meets the interests of the Russian people (79% among the 18-24-year-olds; 60% among those aged 60 and over); 28% disagree with that.
One-fifth of respondents (20%) consider that the Russian government fully abides by the Constitution (30% of the United Russia party supporters); two-thirds (64%) say “only partially”.
Every second (52%) says that certain amendments could be introduced to the current Constitution (64% of those with poor income). As to issues that need to be considered, respondents mention salaries (minimal wage, etc.) and pensions, free healthcare and education.
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on December 8-9, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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.
Let us talk about the Russian Constitution. In your opinion, to what extent does the current Constitution meet the interests of Russia and its people? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Completely meets the interests | 12 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 12 |
Likely to meet the interests | 49 | 64 | 55 | 45 | 42 | 48 |
Likely not to meet the interests | 20 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 19 |
Completely goes against the interests | 8 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
Don’t know | 11 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 12 | 14 |
In your opinion, does the Russian government abide by the Constitution? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||||
| Total respondents | A Just Russia party | Supporters of LDPR | Supporters of CPRF | Supporters of United Russia party | Supporters of non-parliamentary parties | I would not take part in elections |
The government fully abides by the Constitution | 20 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 30 | 5 | 11 |
Partially yes | 64 | 82 | 71 | 64 | 61 | 72 | 60 |
The government does not abide by the Constitution at all | 9 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 4 | 17 | 22 |
Don’t know | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
In your opinion, is there a need to amend the Russian Constitution at the moment? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||
| Total respondents | Those who assess their household income as very good or good | Those who assess their household income as average | Those who assess their household income as bad or very bad | |
Yes, absolutely | 52 | 48 | 48 | 64 | |
There is no need | 38 | 44 | 42 | 27 | |
Don’t know | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | |
What kind of amendments or supplements to the Russian Constitution is necessary? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who think certain amendments to the Constitution are necessary) | ||
| Based on the answers of those who think that certain amendments are necessary | |
To outline the minimum legal wage, pension, payment deadlines | 10 | |
Free, available healthcare | 5 | |
Free, available education | 5 | |
To introduce punishment for corruption | 4 | |
To raise child allowances, payments to families with many children / incomplete / poor families | 4 | |
Social policies | 4 | |
To revise the Criminal Code | 4 | |
To revise the Labor Code | 3 | |
To defend human rights | 3 | |
State control over the extraction and sale of natural resources | 2 | |
Need for alternation of power: the same person should not serve more than two terms | 2 | |
To return death penalty | 2 | |
Laws must be the same for anyone | 2 | |
Affordable housing/providing housing by the state | 2 | |
Introduction of progressive tax | 2 | |
More severe control over the work of public officials, government agencies | 2 | |
Introduction of severe punishment for the violations of constitutional norms; guarantee of compliance with the Constitution | 2 | |
Increase in living standards | 1 | |
To review those amendment which allows interpreting the Constitution for someone’s benefit | 1 | |
Decrease in housing tariffs | 1 | |
Combating unemployment; more jobs | 1 | |
Protection of private life, freedom of speech | 1 | |
Control, inflation rate decrease | 1 | |
More opportunities for small and medium enterprises | 1 | |
Power should belong to people | 1 | |
Control over social inequality | 1 | |
Uniform development across the country: regions, rural area, cities | 1 | |
Road rules changes | 1 | |
Demographic policies | 1 | |
Control over the quality of products | 1 | |
Elimination of bureaucracy | 1 | |
Central Bank of Russia should be subordinated to the state | 1 | |
To limit presidential power | 1 | |
To increase the quality of education | 1 | |
Change in political system | 1 | |
It should be completely reviewed | 1 | |
Other | 5 | |
Don’t know | 51 | |
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!