The image of United Russia party has been weakened after State Duma elections in December. However, it remains to be the leading and the most strongest party of Russia, and evokes more positive emotions than the negative ones.

MOSCOW, April 26, 2012. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of the study describing what Russians think about United Russia party and its perspectives.  

The share of Russians supporting United Russia party is 41%, (36% - constantly, 5% - recently). The share of those who say that they supported this party but they were disappointed is 14%. Thirty-five percent of respondents say that they have never supported United Russia party.

The basic positive attitudes that Russians have towards United Russia party are as follows: “party of power”, “leading, strongest” (13% for each), “party that takes care of people” (11%). Seven percent mention that the name of the party associates with Putin and Medvedev. The same number of respondents describes this party as a majority party. The share of those who negatively perceive United Russia party is huge enough; the main negative association is “party of crooks and thieves” (11%). other 9% perceive it as “party of lost dreams”, 3% – party of the rich.

Forty-three percent of Russians failed to describe the political course of United Russia party (56% in 2010). The remainder said that the main purpose of the party was the revival of Russia. Remarkably, more and more people believe so (from 7 to 11%). This is followed by “caring for people”, work for the good of the country (9%). More Russians mention political course aimed at stability in the country (from 1 to 4%). There are also those who negatively assess the work of United Russia party; most of them mention steeling budget money (6%) and desire to hold on to power by any means (5%). Respondents also complain about the lack of results of the party`s activity and that the party does not have its own position (3% for each). Nevertheless, now Russians rarer reproach United Russia party for its lack of independence, compared to 2010 (3 versus 8%).

The public image of the party is quite controversial: the same factors can be perceived in a different way by Russians. Thus, 15% like that the party deals with real issues; however the same number of respondents complains about the lack of it.  Two percent of Russians appreciate United Russia for having administrative resources to tackle problems; at the same time 2% of respondents blame this party for that. Other 3% like the way the leaders of the party behave themselves, as well as the image of the party in general; simultaneously, this is the reason why 8% of Russians turn away from the party. The only common advantage is the large number of members of this party (4%). The things that attract Russians in this party have not changed over half a year. On the contrary, the negative aspects of the public image of United Russia party have changed a lot: Russians rarer mention real results of the work (from 20 to 15%) and disapprove of party`s ideas (from 9 to 2%); at the same time they increasingly report that the party is full of crooks and thieves (from 1 to 10%). Another weak link is party`s leaders: they attract 3% and repel 8% of Russians.

As to the target audience of the party, most of Russians conclude that the party works for the good of the people (25%). 16% believe that the target audience is bureaucracy: they represent bureaucracy, as well as oligarchs and members of party itself (12% for each).  Other 9% are confident that the party works for the good of Putin; more and more people have reported so over the recent half a year (from 3 to 9%). Every forth states that United Russia party defends the public interests in general (25%). Three percent of Russians think that the target audience is ordinary people and middle class, and 1% thinks that it is young Russians.

In spite of the controversial image of United Russia party, most of Russians accept its victory in parliamentary elections in 2011, and mainly because the majority of people trust this party (22%, 13% in September 2011 ) and the party reflects the interests of its electorate (10%, 16% in September 2011). Nine percent of respondents say that success was due to the support of top state officials (8% - due to the support of Putin and only 1% - due to the support of Medvedev); 7% mention authorities` support at all levels. Opponents explain that the success of United Russia party is resulted from the falsification of the election results (12%) and pressure on the voters (5%), et cet.

One-third of Russians are confident that the position of United Russia party will not change in the near future (34%). The remainder of respondents were divided in their opinion:  29% consider that the role of the party will be strengthened, 27% - that it will be reduced. Those who positively assess the future are Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (39%), young Russians aged 25-34 (32%). Those who negatively assess the future are men (29%), elderly respondents (30%) and Russians with high level of education (31%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on March 17-18, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

* In September 2011 the question was as follows: “United Russia party wins more votes than any other party in almost any elections. In your opinion, what is the reason behind that?”

*In April 2008 the question was as follows: “Dmitry Medvedev has been elected the new president of Russia. Vladimir Putin will be the prime-minister and will be the head of United Russia party. In your pinion, what are the future perspectives of United Russia party?”

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!