In spite of the fact the opposition rallies are supported by one-quarter of Russians, only 8% of respondents would take part in them. None of the opposition leaders is popular among Russians.
MOSCOW, July 12 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing whether Russians think that protest rallies against falling living standards are possible to happen; whether they are ready to take part in such actions; how many respondents support the opposition actions and which leader of the protest movement Russians respect most.
The protest potential index has been the same (36 points) during recent weeks. This is due to the stable share of Russians who believe that protest actions are not possible to happen (66% for three weeks), as well as those who believe that they are possible (30-31%). The maximum monthly average value of the index was recorded in February (38 points).
Over the recent week the personal protest potential index has increased by two points (from 24 to 26). That was due to a slight increase in the number of those who are ready to support protest actions (from 16 to 18%). The maximum monthly average value was recorded in January (29).
The attitude of Russians towards opposition rallies has not changed in recent weeks. As before, they are supported by 25% of respondents including 7% of those who are ready to take part in them and 17% of those who are not. Those who support opposition actions are basically Russians supporting A Just Russia party (40%), CPRF (41%), and 25-34-year-old Russians (28%). The share of those who perceive opposition actions negatively remains the same (37%). They are basically supporters of United Russia party (43%), respondents aged more than 35 (39-41%). The share of those who are indifferent towards actions of protest keeps growing (from 28 to 35%). They are mostly adherents of United Russia party (40%), and Russians younger than 35 (39-40%).
Russians can hardly name leaders of the opposition that they appreciate: most of Russians do not know them (28%) or fail to name those who they like (32%). The share of those who do not respect any of the leaders is also big (27%). The remainder recall G.Zyuganov (4%), V.Zhirinovsky, S.Mironov (2%, for each), as well as A.Navalny, K.Sobchyak, S.Udaltsov (2%, for each).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted June 30 – July 1, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
In your opinion, are mass protests against falling living standards possible in your area of residence? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||||||
| 30.VI-01.VII.12 | 23-24.VI.12 | 16-17.VI.12 | 9-10.VI.12 | 2-3.VI.12 | V.12 | IV.12 | III.12 | II.12 | I.12 |
Quite possible | 30 | 30 | 31 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 30 |
Hardly possible | 66 | 66 | 66 | 72 | 68 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 62 | 64 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Mass protest potential index | 36 | 36 | 36 | 30 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 38 | 36 |
If mass protests against falling livings standards happen in your area of residence, will you personally take part in them, or not? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||||||
| 30.VI-01.VII.12 | 23-24.VI.12 | 16-17.VI.12 | 9-10.VI.12 | 2-3.VI.12 | V.12 | IV.12 | III.12 | II.12 | I.12 |
Rather yes | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 |
Rather no | 79 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 79 | 77 | 78 | 76 | 74 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Personal protest potential index | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 29 |
What is your current attitude towards opposition actions and demonstrations and their participants? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| 30 June – 1 July 2012 | 23-24 June 2012 | 19-20 May 2012 | 12-13 May 2012 | 17-18 December 2011 |
I support them and I am ready to participate | 8 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 13 |
I support them but I would not participate | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 27 |
I am indifferent | 35 | 34 | 28 | 35 | 30 |
I do not support them but I think that people should have the right to choose | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 20 |
I do not support them and I think that such actions should be banned | 10 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 4 |
Hard to tell | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
Which of the opposition leaders do you respect most of all? (open-ended question, any number of answers) | ||||
| Total respondents, all-Russian poll |
| participants of opposition rallies polled | |
Exit poll during the March of millions, 12.06.2012* | Exit poll at Sakharov prospekt, 04.02.2012* | |||
Zyuganov, communists | 4 | Navalny | 46 | 18 |
Zhirinovsky | 2 | Udaltsov | 26 | 2 |
Mironov | 2 | Yashin | 10 | 1 |
Navalny | 2 | Gudkov | 10 | 2 |
Sobchyak | 2 | Ponomarev | 8 |
|
Udaltsov | 2 | Sobchyak | 7 |
|
Nemtsov | 1 | Nemtsov | 6 | 11 |
Prokhorov | 1 | Chirikova | 6 |
|
Yavlinsky | 1 | Yavlinsky | 4 | 29 |
Yashin | 1 | Ryzhkov | 4 | 7 |
Other | 1 | Akunin | 3 | 6 |
None | 27 | Prokhorov | 2 | 12 |
I do not know any leaders | 28 | Bykov | 2 | 2 |
Hard to tell | 32 | Parkhomenko | 2 |
|
| Chirikova | 2 | 1 | |
Romanova | 1 |
| ||
Zhirinovsky | 1 | 9 | ||
Zyuganov | 1 | 4 | ||
Kasparov | 1 | 1 | ||
Belov | 1 |
| ||
Demushkin | 1 |
| ||
Limonov | 1 |
| ||
Mironov | 1 | 3 | ||
Kasianov | 1 |
| ||
Krylov | 1 |
| ||
Parfenov | 1 | 6 | ||
Shevchuk | - | 3 | ||
Kudrin | - | 1 | ||
Karpov | - | 1 | ||
Ulitskaya | - | 1 | ||
Chubais | - | 1 | ||
All | 1 | - | ||
I do not know any leaders | 1 | 2 | ||
None | 13 | 9 | ||
Other | 6 | >1 | ||
Hard to tell | 4 | 8 | ||
*The exit polls were conducted during the “March of millions” (June 12, 2012; 531 persons interviewed) and the Prospekt Sakharov rally (February 4, 2012; 600 persons interviewed).
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!