Seventy-nine percent of Russians are aware of the upcoming vote on amendments to the Constitution; 66% are going to take part in it.
MOSCOW, February 25, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to the attitudes of Russians towards the nationwide vote on amendments to the Russian Constitution.
The awareness of the upcoming vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution keeps increasing: on January 24th the share of those who had heard of it was 72%; by February 20th this share had increased to 79%.
More than half of Russians (66%) show their willingness to participate in the vote which is going to be held in spring this year; 41% of respondents show high levels of confidence. Those who are more likely to participate in the vote are respondents aged 45-59 (70%) and those aged 60 and older (73%).
Every fourth Russian is aware of specific proposals which will be put to the vote (23%). Most of them point to mandatory pension indexation (9%). Russians also know that changes will concern social policies (5%) and term limitations for the presidency (not more than two terms in a row) (4%).
Russians are highly likely (over 90%) to support the following proposals: provision of available and high quality health care services by the state (97%); social support for children provided by the state (96%); adoption of a minimum legal monthly wage at a level not lower than the subsistence rate (95%); yearly pension indexation (94%); Russian territorial integrity (94%) and a ban for public officials to have a residence permit in another country, foreign citizenship or foreign bank accounts (93%). The same share of Russians considers such proposals to be important (over 90%).
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted February 20, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do you know, have you heard, do you hear for the first time that a nationwide vote on amendments to the Russian Constitution will soon be held? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||
| 24.I | 30.I | 5.II | 12.II | 20.II |
I am aware; I have heard of it | 72 | 74 | 76 | 78 | 79 |
I hear about it for the first time | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 21 |
Are you going to participate in the vote on constitutional amendments which will be held in spring this year? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and older |
Undecided; I will decide right before the vote | 22 | 38 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 16 |
Yes, I am | 41 | 18 | 31 | 41 | 41 | 52 |
Rather yes | 25 | 22 | 30 | 23 | 29 | 21 |
Rather no | 5 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
No, I am not going to participate in it | 6 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Do you know what proposals to amend the Constitution will be put to the nationwide vote? (open-ended question, not more than 5 answers, % of total respondents, shown are answers gained at least 3%) | |
| Total respondents |
Regular pension indexation / pension changes | 9 |
Social policy in general | 5 |
The same person cannot be Russian president for more than two terms in a row | 4 |
Territorial integrity / Russia’s territorial disintegration is impossible | 3 |
Changes to the political system, president’s and government’s powers | 3 |
Minimum monthly rate cannot be lower than the subsistence rate | 3 |
Decisions of international organizations, provisions of international treaties which intervene the Constitution will not be performed | 3 |
Other | 6 |
Don’t know | 77 |
Imagine that the following proposals will be put to the vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution. Are you likely to support or oppose the following proposals? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||
| Likely to support | Likely to oppose | Don’t know |
The state will guarantee available and high quality healthcare services | 97 | 2 | 1 |
Children are Russia’s treasure. The state is to provide social care to children. | 96 | 3 | 1 |
Government’s responsibility to protect the working population. Minimum monthly rate is to be at a level not lower than the subsistence rate. | 95 | 4 | 1 |
Yearly pension indexation | 94 | 5 | 1 |
No part of the Russian territory can be separated from Russia | 94 | 5 | 1 |
Banning public officials from having a foreign citizenship, a residence permit or bank accounts in another state | 93 | 6 | 1 |
Protection of animals, proper animal handling and responsible care | 89 | 7 | 4 |
Russia seeks to support and strengthen peace and security, to ensure peaceful coexistence between the countries and peoples | 89 | 8 | 3 |
Environmental protection, preservation of biodiversity all across Russia | 88 | 9 | 3 |
Targeted social care, indexation of social benefits and allowances are guaranteed | 87 | 10 | 3 |
Is it important/unimportant to you to enshrine the following principles in the Russian Constitution? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||
| Likely to be important | Likely to be unimportant | Don’ t know |
The state will guarantee available and high quality healthcare services | 97 | 2 | 1 |
Children are Russia’s treasure. The state is to provide social care to children. | 96 | 3 | 1 |
Government’s responsibility to protect the working population. Minimum monthly rate is to be at a level not lower than the subsistence rate. | 95 | 4 | 1 |
Yearly pension indexation | 94 | 5 | 1 |
No part of the Russian territory can be separated from Russia | 93 | 6 | 1 |
Banning public officials from having a foreign citizenship, a residence permit or bank accounts in another state | 92 | 6 | 2 |
Protection of animals, proper animal handling and responsible care | 90 | 7 | 3 |
Russia seeks to support and strengthen peace and security, to ensure peaceful coexistence between the countries and peoples | 90 | 7 | 3 |
Environmental protection, preservation of biodiversity all across Russia | 87 | 10 | 3 |
Targeted social care, indexation of social benefits and allowances are guaranteed | 85 | 12 | 3 |
Note:
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