Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Most of Putin`s initiatives during pre-election campaign are supported by Russians. The exclusions are his initiative to return to winter time system and to equalize the rights of religious and secular schools.  

MOSCOW, April 3, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning how Russians assess the initiatives of V.Putin concerning social sphere and other topics.  

Introduction of luxury tax (74%), transition to winter time (73%), review of the duration of winter and May holidays (71%) and reduction of the number of cars with lights and sirens (67%) are the most popular promises recently given by V.Putin. At the same time two-thirds of Russians (60-64%) did not hear about idea to create state corporation for development of Eastern Siberia (35% heard about that), to make the State Duma consider citizen`s initiatives with 100.000 or more signatures (35%) and to equalize the status and rights of religious and secular schools (30%).

 

Most supported initiatives are to reduce the number of cars with lights and sirens (81%), to introduce the luxury tax (80%). Two-thirds of respondents positively assessed proposals to shorten the New Year holidays and to lengthen May holidays  and to set up a state corporation for development of Eastern Siberia and Far East (66% for each).

The only initiative that Russians disapprove is the idea to return to winter time: opposed by 47% and supported by only 37%. Respondents are divided in their opinion on equalizing the status and rights of religious schools and secular schools: supported by 31% and opposed by 33%. 

Almost all social initiatives of V.Putin are approved by Russians. The idea to elaborate pension system plan for middle class based on saving component was less appreciated (72%). The idea to solve demographic problem by increasing the flow of compatriots from the near and far abroad is perceived most negatively: approved only by 56% and disapproved by 29%.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted February 18-19, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Did you hear or do you hear for the first time about the initiatives stated below?
(closed-ended question, one answer per each position)

 

Introduce tax on luxury items (expensive auto, yachts, villas)

Return to summer/winter time system

To cut the winter holidays and to  extend May holidays  

Drastically reduce the number of cars with lights and sirens, giving the right to use them only to top officials legally entitled to state security

Create state corporation for development of Eastern Siberia and Far East that would deal with development of ports, roads, communications, airports and local aviation

Make the State Duma consider all initiatives of citizens that have 100 000 and more signatures

Equalize the status and rights of religious schools and secular schools

I heard about that

74

73

71

67

35

35

30

I hear for the first time

25

24

27

30

61

60

64

Hard to tell

1

4

2

3

4

5

6


Which of the initiatives do you support or would you like to be implemented in the near future, and which – not? (closed-ended question, one answer per each position)

 

Drastically reduce the number of cars with lights and sirens, giving the right to use them only to top officials legally entitled to state security

Introduce tax on luxury items (expensive auto, yachts, villas)

To cut the winter holidays and to  extend May holidays  

Create state corporation for development of Eastern Siberia and Far East that would deal with development of ports, roads, communications, airports and local aviation

Make the State Duma consider all initiatives of citizens that have 100 000 and more signatures

Return to summer/winter time system

Equalize the status and rights of religious schools and secular schools

Support

81

80

66

66

59

37

31

Do not support

6

11

21

10

13

47

33

Hard to tell

13

9

14

24

28

16

36


Putin has recently introduced a number of social initiatives. Which of his proposals do you support, and which – do not? (closed-ended question, one answer per each position)

 

To decrease the cost of housing at the expense of reduction of cost of construction materials and corruption by 20-30%

To solve the problem of affordable housing for 60% of families by  2020, and to completely remove this problem by 2030

To introduce benefit of 7 000 rubles per month for families with third and subsequent children (up to 3-year-old age) in regions with negative demographic trend

To increase the budget worker salary in healthcare, education, culture and science up to 200% of regional average salary by 2012

To change the way the scholarships are paid: to pay the amount of living wage to those who really need it  (about 5000 rub. per month)

Rather support

93

92

91

90

89

Rather not support

3

3

5

6

6

Hard to tell

4

5

4

4

6


Putin has recently introduced a number of social initiatives. Which of his proposals do you support, and which – do not?  (closed-ended question, one answer per each position)

 

In next 4 years to eliminate queues in kindergartens, mostly at the expense of the increase of seats in family, private and corporate kindergartens

To introduce teaching the basics of housing sector law and economy  

To make heads of state-financed universities, medical and scientific institutions declare their revenues

To elaborate new pension system for middle class based on saving component

To allow 300 000 of compatriots  living in the near abroad and far abroad yearly entering Russia to solve demographic problems

Rather support

86

83

82

72

56

Rather not support

9

7

10

13

29

Hard to tell

6

10

8

14

15

 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!

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