Every second Russian knows who Hillary Clinton is, but only 17% perceive her candidature positively.

MOSCOW, May 21, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey describing how many Russians heard of H. Clinton, how they perceive her, and how the Russian-American relations will be affected if she is elected as the president.

Half of Russians are aware of who Hillary Clinton is. Every fourth (26%) knows that she was the first lady of the American president; every fifth (19%) is aware that she is a candidate for president. Nine percent of respondents failed to cite the job title she has but they know that she is an American political figure. Three percent of Russians recalled that she was American Secretary of State. Four out of ten respondents (41%) have not heard anything about her before the survey (57% of those who have low level of education; 56% of those aged 18-24).  

More than one-third of Russians who heard of H. Clinton perceive her negatively (42%). The share of those who perceive her positively is twice as small (17%). Remarkably, women (20%) and people who graduated from the universities (18%) share this point of view more often than men (14%) and people with elementary level of education (5%).  Forty-one percent of Russians are undecided.

Generally, respondents are either indifferent towards the America`s former first lady, or negative about her. Therefore, 38% of respondents who heard of H. Clinton say they are indifferent. Every fifth (21%) distrust her; every seventh (14%) dislikes her. Few respondents express positive emotions toward her: 6% like her, 6% respect her, 5% express hope.

As to prospects for U.S.-Russia relations under the H. Clinton presidency, one-third of respondents (34%) who are aware of her activities believe that no substantial changes will happen if she is elected. Deterioration in relations and increasing tensions are expected by 28% of Russians (38% among respondents with high income; 36% among residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg); 18% forecast improvement in relations between the two countries.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted April 18-19, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.

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!