Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

12% of respondents expect that the influence of the United Russia party will be diminishing; 32% forecast strengthening. 62% have no doubts that that the party will win the next parliamentary elections.

MOSCOW, June 18, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing whether D. Medvedev is able to modernize the United Russia party or not; what exactly should be changed, as well as what political prospects this party have.

In general, the chances of Dmitry Medvedev to achieve positive results in modernization of the party are assessed rather positively by Russians: 38% are confident that Medvedev`s efforts will have positive effect, though small. Other 28% believe that the new leader will implement his plans and will make the party more up-to-date, open and effective. Almost the same share of respondents (25%) believes the Medvedev`s party reforms will fail.

Those who have optimistic attitudes are basically supporters of United Russia party (47%).  They are opposed by communists (48%) and absentees (45%).

Pondering over the issue of what exactly should be changed in United Russia party, Russians propose to upgrade personnel (15%), focusing on younger and more honest people, and to make the party more open and understandable for the common people (10%). Respondents also mention fight against corruption (5%), refreshing ideas (4%), stricter discipline (1%), and more attention to social policy (2%). Five percent of respondents are confident that it is impossible to change the situation in the party and it is better to create a new one.

Generally, Russians are optimistic about the party`s prospects: 47% are confident that the role of United Russia party in the political processes will remain stable; one-third of respondents believe that its position will be strengthening (32%). Those who think that the role of the party will be diminishing are in the minority (12%).

Most of Russians have no doubts about the success of United Russia party at next parliamentary elections: 62% believe the party will win. Those who think so are mainly supporters of United Russia part (78%), and most of A Just Russia party adherents (64%). Only 23% are skeptical about the chances of United Russia party to win at the next State Duma elections; they are basically supporters of non-parliament parties (48%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on June 2-3, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Dmitry Medvedev declared that the United Russia party needs modernization. In our opinion, will he succeed in making the party more open, up-to-date and effective, or not?

(close-ended question, one answer)

Total respondents

Supporters of United Russia party

Supporters of A Just Russia party

Supporters of non-parliament parties

Supporters of LDPR

Supporters of CPRF

Those who would not take part in elections

Hard to tell

Yes, he will

28

47

17

11

8

6

7

11

Something will probably be improved, but not radically

38

38

43

43

43

35

36

42

No, I think he will fail

25

8

32

41

42

48

45

26

Hard to tell  

9

7

8

5

7

11

12

21


In your opinion, what exactly should be changed in the party?

 (open-ended question, any number of answers)

Upgrade personnel, focus on young and honest people

15

Be closer, more open to the common people

10

Actively fight against corruption; do not steal 

5

Refresh ideas

4

More attention to social policy

2

Fight against bureaucracy  

2

Be engaged in really important tasks

2

Less conversation, more action; start fulfilling promises

2

Change the leader

2

Stricter discipline

1

Give freedom and democracy to people  

1

Make people trust 

1

Nothing will help; a new party should be introduced

5

Nothing should be changed

26

Other

1

Hard to tell  

27


Dmitry Medvedev is  a new chairman of the United Russia party. What prospects for the party do you forecast?  (close-ended question, one answer)

June  2012

April  2008

Role of party in political life of the country will be diminishing

12

3

Role of party in political life of the country will be increasing

32

61

Role of party in political life of the country will hardly be changed

47

21

Hard to tell  

9

14


Dmitry Medvedev set a task for the United Russia party to win the next parliamentary elections in 2016. In your opinion, will the party achieve this goal, or not? (close-ended question, one answer)

Total respondents

Supporters of United  Russia party

Supporters of A Just Russia party

Supporters of LDPR party

Supporters of CPRF party

Supporters of non-parliament parties

I would not take part in elections

Hard to tell

Rather, yes

62

78

64

50

46

41

42

40

Rather, no. United Russia will hardly be the winner in five years

23

9

24

37

35

48

37

36

Hard to tell  

15

13

13

12

18

11

21

23

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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