Moscow, December 5, 2007 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents information on whether Russians think that our country needs a national leader; what qualities he should possess; and also what is the respondents' attitude to the possibility that V. Putin may retain his influence as the national leader even after the end of his presidency.
Our country needs a national leader, as 60% of Russians identify. 19% do not agree with them, including 4% who are absolutely against the concept. The idea of "the national leader" enjoys a little less support in Moscow and St. Petersburg (48%), than in other Russian cities and villages (59-66%).
Every second respondent (52%) still finds it hard to define what exactly the concept of "the national leader" consists in. The other respondents define him primarily as a person, who calls for the people's trust (6%); who enjoys respect and has authority (5%); who is capable of uniting the people (5%).
The national leader should be honest, disinterested, a man of principle (as 24% of respondents identify); clever and wise (13%); strong and steadfast (8%); just (7%); a professional politician (5%); persistent, resolute (5%); an autocrat, strong-willed (5%), responsible (5%); and a person who can "feel for the people" (4%).
55% of respondents are in favour of the idea that V. Putin should preserve his influence as the national leader of the country even after the end of his presidency, 22% of respondents do not agree with them. Voters of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and LDPR are more likely not to favour this trend of affairs, supporters of "Fair Russia" (58 %) and, still more so those of "Unified Russia" (68 %) are more likely to be for it.
The initiative all-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM on November 9-10, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population areas of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.
Some people think that our country needs a national leader. Do you personally agree with this point of view? | ||||||
| Total respondents | Type of Settlement | ||||
Moscow and St. Petersburg | More than 500 thousand residents | 100-500 thousand residents | Less than 100 thousand residents | Villages | ||
Yes, definitely so | 24 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 25 |
Yes, most likely so | 36 | 29 | 43 | 41 | 34 | 34 |
No, most likely not | 15 | 25 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 15 |
No, definitely not | 4 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Hard to say | 21 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 26 | 22 |
What do you think does the concept "national leader" mean, what kind of person should he be?
| |
A person, who calls for the people's trust | 6 |
A person who carries authority and is respected by the people | 5 |
The leader of the nation, the leader of the country, a leader who would unite the people | 5 |
"A person that the people, Russia would follow", "that the masses would follow" | 4 |
A strong personality, strong-willed | 4 |
The defender of the people, who fights for the people's interests | 3 |
The person who "struggles for the development of the country", "would lead the country out of the crisis | 3 |
He should "feel for the people, for Russia", "be able to fight for the people, for Russia" | 2 |
The leader, "leading the masses behind him" | 2 |
He loves Russia and is a patriot | 2 |
„A Russian person" | 2 |
Just as Putin | 2 |
Strong-willed, purposeful | 1 |
Defends the interests of Russia | 1 |
A famous person | 1 |
A nationalist, a racist | 1 |
Just as Lenin, Stalin, Castro were | 1 |
Honest, incorruptible | 1 |
A decent person | <1 |
A person who enjoys the people's respect | <1 |
A hero | <1 |
There should not be a person like that | <1 |
Other variant | 1 |
Hard to say | 52 |
What qualities do you think should a national leader possess? | |
Honest, conscientious, a man of principle, decent, disinterested | 24 |
Clever, sensible, wise | 13 |
Strong, steadfast, firm | 8 |
Just | 7 |
Authoritative, strong-willed, tough | 5 |
Professional, competent, an expert in politics | 5 |
Responsible, a man of his word | 5 |
Purposeful, persevering, resolute | 5 |
"Feels for the people", "cares for the people, for the common persons" | 4 |
A patriot, loves Russia | 4 |
Educated | 4 |
Authoritative | 3 |
Can govern, can lead the country, is a leader | 3 |
Is close to the people, loves the people and is loved by it | 2 |
Active, enterprising | 2 |
Diplomatic, correct, far-seeing | 2 |
Independent, self-dependent | 2 |
Open, sympathetic | 2 |
Hard-working | 2 |
Charismatic | 2 |
He should enjoy the people's trust and respect | 1 |
He should defend Russia's interests in the world | 1 |
Cultured | 1 |
Eloquent | 1 |
Unbribable, incorruptible | 1 |
Courageous | 1 |
Famous | <1 |
Communicable | <1 |
Manly | <1 |
Young | <1 |
Other variant | 1 |
Hard to say | 44 |
Some people think that a new president will be elected in March, however, Vladimir Putin will retain his influence and power as the country's national leader. What do you personally think about it? | |||||
| Total respondents | Political party supporters | |||
„Unified Russia" | KPRF | LDPR | „Fair Russia" | ||
I would rather support it | 55 | 68 | 32 | 37 | 58 |
I would rather not support it | 22 | 15 | 49 | 41 | 21 |
Hard to say | 23 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 21 |