The overwhelming majority of Russians think it is necessary to assist Belarus as friendly country but only 11% of Russians would help Lukashenko 11%.
MOSCOW, September 2, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data about the policy that Russia should apply to Belarus, and the attitudes of Russians towards integration discount on gas.
Russians are divided in their opinion on the policy towards Belarus being in deep economic crisis. Some respondents say that Lukashenko should not be supported as he conducts unfriendly policies toward Russia (40%). This point of view is mostly shared by the residents of big cities (46%) and rural area (47%), as well as supporters of the CPRF, LDPR parties and absentees (45% for each). Others tend to think that our country should support Belarus in any case because it is a brotherly country (37%). Most of those who think so are Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (44%), residents of middle cities (48%) and supporters of non-parliament parties (59%). Those who are in the minority are those respondents who think that Lukashenko is one of few Russia`s allies, thus, we should support him, during the crisis (11%). They are mainly Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (20%).
More than half of Russians are against discount on gas for Belarus (57%). They are basically supporters of LDPR party (61%) and absentees (64%), rural area residents (67%) and respondents with low level of income (65%). Every third supports reducing gas price for Belarus (32%). They are basically supporters of non-parliament parties (52%), Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (54%), and Russians with income above average (40%).
The decision of the Russian government to offer a gas discount to Belarus was ambiguously assessed by Russians: 43% disapprove, 39% approve. Those who oppose the idea are rural area residents (50%), CPRF supporters and absentees (48% for each), respondents with low level of income (51%) and those who do not use the Internet (47%). The decision was supported by the residents of Moscow and Saint-Petersburg (60 %), adherents of non-parliament parties (69%), Russians with income above average (48%) and active Internet users (44%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on August 27-28, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Belarus economy is currently in deep economic crisis. In your opinion, which policy should Russia apply to Belarus and its president? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Supporters of parties | |||||
CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | United Russia | Non-parliament parties | I would not participate in elections | ||
Lukashenko is one of Russia`s few allies; he should be supported in difficult situation (provided with credit, discount on gas and et cet.) | 11 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
Lukashenko only thinks about himself and conducts unfriendly policy towards Russia; he should not be supported | 40 | 45 | 45 | 33 | 39 | 21 | 45 |
Regardless of the person who holds the power in Belarus, this country is friendly to Russia and it should be supported in any situation | 37 | 37 | 31 | 48 | 36 | 59 | 35 |
Hard to tell | 12 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 |
Belarus has been long negotiating with Russia on reducing gas prices. Do you support or oppose the idea to provide Belarus with gas at below market rates? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Type of settlement | ||||
Moscow and St.Petersburg | More than 500 thousand | 100 - 500 thousand | Less than 100 thousand | Rural area | ||
Rather support | 32 | 54 | 29 | 42 | 28 | 23 |
Rather oppose | 57 | 31 | 61 | 51 | 59 | 67 |
Hard to tell | 11 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 10 |
Russian government has recently informed that it will provide Belarus with gas discount due to the integration process. In your opinion, is this a wrong or right decision? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Supporters of parties | |||||
CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | United Russia | Non-parliament parties | I would not participate in elections | ||
Rather right | 39 | 38 | 34 | 45 | 43 | 69 | 30 |
Rather wrong | 43 | 49 | 51 | 40 | 42 | 14 | 48 |
Hard to tell | 18 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 22 |
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!