Half of Russians are confident that there is no politician capable of competing Vladimir Putin during the presidential elections; and such a politician will not appear in the short run.
MOSCOW, June 20, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the way how Russians assess the political perspectives of Vladimir Putin at the 2018 elections; whether there are politicians that can compete with him.
Over the recent two years the share of Russians who believe in the positive political perspecives of V.Putin has increased by 1.5 times: from 40% in 2012 to 69% currently. This stance is shared by young respodnents (67%), elderly respondents (71%), residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg (76%) and rural area (68%). Every fifth respondent (20%) believes that Putin has reached the peak of his career and he can hardly achieve more than he has now. And only 5% think that his influence is declining; the share of such respondents has considerably decreased over a year (since 19% in 2013).
Today three-quarter of Russians (73%) are ready to vote for Putin in the presidential elections, if he participates in these elections: over a year the number of such respondents has increased (from 51% in 2013). Thirteen percent of respondents will not support him; 14% has not decided.
Half of respondents (54%) report that they do not know any politician capable of competing with Putin; and such a person will not appear in the short run (48% a year ago). Those who think so are older Russians (61% of those who are aged over 60) and supporters of the United Russia party (60%). One-quarter of respondents (27%) say that a candidate may soon appear. Only 8% believe that there is already a politician similar to Putin.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on May 31 – June 1, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
What perspectives does Putin as politician have? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
He has good perspectives | 40 | 42 | 69 |
He has achieved a lot; he can hardly achieve more than he has | 38 | 33 | 20 |
This is a politician from the past; his influence is decreasing | 15 | 19 | 5 |
Don`t know | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Vladimir Putin may take part in the 2018 presidential elections. Would you support him? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| 2012 | 2013 | April 2014 | May 2014 |
Rather yes | 40 | 51 | 62 | 73 |
Rather not | 39 | 36 | 14 | 13 |
Don`t know | 21 | 13 | 24 | 14 |
In your opinion, will a politician capable of competing with Putin in the presidential elections appear in the near future? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| 2003 | 2013 | 2014 |
Yes, there is such a politician | 11 | 10 | 8 |
Yes, such a political may appear | 38 | 33 | 27 |
No, there is no politician similar to Putin; and he will not appear | 42 | 48 | 54 |
Don`t know | 8 | 9 | 11 |
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!