The “Occupy Abai” Camp, the “March of Millions” and the “Control Walk” attracted the attention of almost every second Russian. The rallies are supported by 22% of respondents (35% in December 2011) and condemned by 40% (24% in December 2011).
MOSCOW, MAY 29, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how many Russians have heard about the recent opposition rallies; what caused them, as well as what Russian attitudes towards these rallies are.
The actions of protests that attracted more public attention are the “Occupy Abai” Camp at Chistye Prudy (54% heard about it) and the “March of Millions” (52%). The “Control Walk” rally with famous Russian writers on the Ring Boulevard was less popular: 33% were aware of it, and 62% heard about it for the first time. Those respondents who were informed about protest actions say that the main reason lies in the dissatisfaction with living standards (18%) and governmental policies (17%). Least of Russians believe the basic cause is the fight for justice (10%). The share of those who say that rallies are resulted from V.Putin`s policies is 7%, from results of elections - 6%. Nine percent believe that the rallies` participants have plenty of time; 5% of respondents consider that rallies aim at attracting attention or spreading discord in society; 4% say that rallies are organized for the money; the same share of respondents say that organizers of rallies are eager to be in power themselves.
The rallies are supported by 22% of Russians today; at the same time, the share of those who could personally participate in such actions is 7% (15% refuse). Forty percent of Russians negatively assess the rallies, including 26% of those who believe that people have right to participate in political protests; 14 % of Russians think rallies should be banned.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted May 19-20, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Do you personally know, or do you hear for the first time about the protest actions stated below? (closed-ended question, one answer per each position) | |
March of millions |
|
I heard about it | 52 |
I hear for the first time | 45 |
Hard to tell | 4 |
Camp at Chistye Prudy in Moscow (Occupy Abai) |
|
I heard about it | 54 |
I hear for the first time | 42 |
Hard to tell | 4 |
Control Walk on the Ring Boulevard in Moscow, with famous Russian writers |
|
I heard about it | 33 |
I hear for the first time | 62 |
Hard to tell | 5 |
In your opinion, what is the main reason behind the rallies and protests? What do the organizers and participants want to achieve? (open-ended question, not more than three answer, % of those who are aware of the protests) | |
They have plenty of free time; they have nothing to do | 9 |
They want to attract attention to themselves; they advertise themselves | 5 |
They want to spread discord in society | 5 |
The rallies are organized for the money | 4 |
The organizers of the rallies want to be in power themselves | 4 |
They are not satisfied with the living standards | 18 |
People are not satisfied with the political power; they do not agree with governmental policies | 17 |
They fight for the justice | 10 |
They do not like Putin`s policies | 7 |
They are not satisfied with the election results | 6 |
Other | 2 |
Hard to tell | 24 |
What is your attitude towards these rallies and their participants? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| May 19 -20, 2012 | May 12-13, 2012 | December 2011 |
I support them and I am ready to personally participate | 7 | 7 | 11 |
I support but I am not ready to participate in similar actions | 15 | 15 | 24 |
I am indifferent | 33 | 35 | 32 |
I do not support them but I believe that people have right to participate in political protests | 26 | 29 | 19 |
I do not support them and I think that such actions should be banned | 14 | 10 | 5 |
Hard to tell | 5 | 4 | 9 |
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!