MOSCOW, December 30, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing the attitudes of Russians about the early resignation of Boris Yeltsin that happened ten years ago, as well as how they assess the Yeltsin era.
Today the majority of Russians think that the Boris Yeltsin`s decision on his early resignation and transfer of power to Vladimir Putin was right in all respects (66%). Those who have such opinion are basically supporters of United Russia and Fair Russia parties (75 and 74% respectively). Sixteen percent think that his decision was right, but he should not have chosen his successor: most of those who think so are CPRF adherents (26%). According to 7% of respondents, Boris Yeltsin should have found different successor - mainly LDPR supporters think so (11%). Those who think that Yeltsin`s decision was totally wrong are in the minority.
Most of Russians says they are satisfied with Yeltsin`s decision on his early resignation - 39% (in 2000 they were 52%). The overwhelming majority of respondents are indifferent (32%, in 2000 - 10%). Those who are surprised and admired by Yeltsin`s decision are 7% (for each group), 4% are perplexed; 2% (for each) feel regret and resented; 1% feel anxiety.
As before, Russians tend to think that Boris Yeltsin resigned due to his illnesses and inability to perform his presidential duties (38%) - most of them are elderly respondents (44%). The number of those who explain his decision to make room for younger generation has increased (from 14 to 20%), as well as the number of those who think Yeltsin was acting under the critics` pressure (from 14 to 19%). Over the recent nine years the proportion of respondents who think that Yeltsin wanted to provide better conditions for Putin in his struggle for the presidential chair has decreased twice (from 29 to 14%).
As before, Russians tend to think that the Yeltsin epoch brought more bad than good. But the number of such respondents has dramatically declined over the recent decade (from 67 to 56%). Most of those who share such a stance are supporters of CPRF (79%) and Russians with low level of education (66%). Every fifth Russian is confident that the Yeltsin era had more pluses (20%, in 2000 - 16%): most of them are adherents of Fair Russia party (28%) and Russians with high level of education (25%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on December 26-27, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.
Exactly ten years ago, on New Year`s Eve 2000, President of Russia Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation and transfer of power to his successor Vladimir Putin. What do you think of this decision today? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Parties which Russians would vote for, if elections to the State Duma took place next Sunday | |||||
United Russia | CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | Other (Pravoe Delo, Patriots of Russia) | I would not take part in elections | ||
It was a right decision in all respects | 66 | 75 | 54 | 60 | 74 | 83 | 50 |
Boris Yeltsin was right when he decided to resign but he chose the wrong successor | 7 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 4 |
| 7 |
Yeltsin was right when he decided to resign but he should not have chosen his successor because it made the upcoming elections uncompetitive | 16 | 11 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 9 | 24 |
It was totally wrong decision | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 3 |
Hard to tell | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 16 |
What do you feel today about Boris Yeltsin`s early resignation? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2000 | 2009 |
Surprised | 27 | 7 |
Admiration | 11 | 7 |
Satisfaction | 52 | 39 |
Regret | 3 | 2 |
Perplexity | 6 | 4 |
Resentment | 2 | 2 |
Anxiety | 3 | 1 |
Nothing | 10 | 32 |
Hard to tell | 2 | 6 |
There are different points of view on the reasons why Boris Yeltsin resigned. Which of the following statement comes closest to your opinion? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2000 | 2009 |
He was acting under the pressure of political critics | 14 | 19 |
He wanted to make room for younger generation able to lead Russia out of crisis | 14 | 20 |
He resigned due to illnesses and inability to perform his duties as Russian President | 38 | 38 |
He wanted to provide Vladimir Putin with better conditions in his struggle for Presidency in the upcoming elections | 29 | 14 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 9 |
Do you think the Yeltsin epoch brought more good or bad to Russia in historical perspective? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2006 | 2007 | 2009 |
More good | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 25 | 20 |
More bad | 67 | 65 | 68 | 64 | 49 | 56 |
Hard to tell | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 26 | 24 |
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!