According to surveys, the coronavirus spread and the voting on constitutional amendments has become top resonant events in mid-March.

MOSCOW, March 17, 2020. In March 2020, public attention has been riveted on the coronavirus disease originated in China (20%). Compared to the last week of February, public interest has risen by 2 p.p. In early February, 59% of Russians were afraid of being infected with the coronavirus.

The voting on the constitutional amendments to be held on April 22, 2020, is ranked second in the list of events (mentioned by 11% of respondents). According to the March 11 data, two-thirds of Russians are going to participate in the voting (69%).

Respondents are interested in issues related to foreign politics. Since February, more Russians have shown interest in Russia-Turkey relations and talks between Putin and Erdogan (5%, a 4-point increase).

The Syrian conflict holds the fifth and the sixth positions in the “people’s rating”: Russians are interested to know more about Turkey’s offensive against Syria (3%) and military operations in Syria (3%).

The Maslenitsa week has come to an end but Russians still remember about it (2%). Every second Russian considers that Maslenitsa is celebrated because it is an old tradition in the Russian culture (52%).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik surveys were conducted from February 24, to March 8, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 22,400 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. 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 1%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey. Questions about events are asked on a daily basis in the course of VCIOM-Sputnik nationwide survey.