MOSCOW, 12 May 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey in memory of Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky was a charismatic politician, head of LDPR, a person known for extraordinary acts and catchy expressions. On April 6, he died due to prolonged illness. VCIOM has prepared an analytical review in memory of Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
Since mid to late 1990s, the share of Russians who trusted V. Zhirinovsky was from 8 to 14%; the percentage of those who distrusted him varied from 64% to 74%. After Zhirinovsky’s death in late April, 60% of respondents said they trusted him; every fifth expressed unconditional trust (19%).
Trust in Zhirinovsky started to grow in late February and has showed maximum scores over the entire measurement period. The growth concurred with the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine. Trust levels during the week from February 28 to March 6 was at 34.4% (+5.3 p.p. compared to the previous week) and 49.1% a month later, week March 28 – April 3. Trust in Zhirinovsky Index reached 12 p. in late March – early April (an all-time high since 2019).
Politician or showman?
Today Russians perceive Zhirinovsky mainly as an independent politician who represented the real political power (54%). Every fifth considers that Vladimir Volfovich is more likely a famous public figure, performer and showman than an actual politician (22%); 16% say that he does not have an independent political position: he worked for Kremlin although he was hiding it. Supporters of the Communist Party of Russia tend to consider him as a showman rather than an actual politician (38%).
In January 2008, respondents said that V. Zhirinovsky promoted social justice and equality (6%); the same number of respondents pointed to personal interests (6%); democratic values and protection of human rights were mentioned by 5%; promotion of nationalist ideas and revival of the Russian nation were cited by 4% (each).
Vladimir Zhirinovsky as viewed by Russians
His expressive public position often accompanied by scandals with opponents did not cause negative public perceptions; on the contrary, today more Russians favor Zhirinovsky (63%), and fewer persons are indifferent to him (30%). Only 4% disfavor him. To celebrate his 70th birthday anniversary in 2016, VCIOM published findings concerning the feelings he evoke. Most of people mentioned positive emotions such as respect (25%) and liking (22%); 18% cited distrust; 17% remained indifferent.
In 2006 Russians considered Zhirinovsky to be the one with excellent sense of humor among the Russian politicians (57%); he is followed, with a huge gap, by Vladimir Putin (17%). Zhirinovsky is also the one Russians would like to laugh at (23%). He is also the person respondents would like to invite to their New Year’s Eve table: 9% of Russians wanted to see him at their festive table in late 2021.
What Russians will remember about Vladimir Zhirinovsky are his statements and deeds. The most popular ones are his statements about Ukraine and prediction of war (10%), pro-Russian views, support for the course of the Russian government, speeches concerning domestic policies (5%). Four percent of Russians liked all his statements and his straightforwardness; the same number of respondents remember his phrase about “washing the boots in the Indian ocean” and his prophetic statements (4%).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 30, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in each survey. Survey method: telephone interviews using a stratified random sample based on a complete list of Russian mobile phone numbers. 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
- VCIOM-Sputnik survey data, April 2022
Let’s change the topic. On April 6 Vladimir Zhirinovsky died. Did you trust or distrust him? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| 30.IV.2022 |
Definitely trust | 19 |
Likely trust | 41 |
Likely distrust | 20 |
Definitely distrust | 11 |
Don’t know | 9 |
What is your personal attitude towards Vladimir Zhirinovsky - good, bad or indifferent? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Good | 63 | 55 | 57 | 62 | 65 | 67 |
Bad | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Indifferent | 30 | 39 | 37 | 31 | 27 | 23 |
Don’t know | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
Which characteristic describing Vladimir Zhirinovsky are you more likely to agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer) (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||||
| 30.IV. 2022 | A Just Russia party | LDPR | KPRF | United Russia | New People | Non-parliamentary parties | I will spoil the ballot | I wouldn’t take part in elections | Don’t know |
He was an independent politician representing real political power | 54 | 54 | 79 | 34 | 67 | 43 | 43 | 24 | 39 | 39 |
He was a politician who did not have any independent position and worked for the government, although he hid that fact | 16 | 20 | 10 | 21 | 11 | 24 | 26 | 37 | 22 | 16 |
He was a scandal-ridden public figure, rather an artist or a showman than a true politician | 22 | 14 | 8 | 38 | 14 | 30 | 28 | 38 | 24 | 33 |
Don’t know | 8 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 12 |
What Zhirinovsky’s statements or ideas have stuck in your memory? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; answers that gained at least 2%) | |
| 30.IV.2022 |
His statements about Ukraine / he predicted the war | 10 |
He was pro-Russian / supported the government / statements concerning domestic policies/ he proposed to unite the regions | 5 |
Washing the boots in the Indian ocean | 4 |
I liked all his statements/ he told the truth / he was straightforward | 4 |
Prophetic statements | 4 |
He supported the ordinary people / was close to people / helped / provided assistance | 3 |
Statements related to foreign policy / to develop the eastern direction / statements related to the West | 3 |
Scolding a lot / scandalous behavior / attacked his opponents verbally | 3 |
Criticising the government / civil servants’ ignorance / deputies having high salaries | 2 |
Dollar is a dirty green paper / statements about America / scientists will change the gravity field, and the country will be under water | 2 |
Give every woman a man, and give every man a bottle of vodka | 2 |
Social policy / education reform / supporting young families | 2 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 58 |
Trust in politicians “Do you trust or distrust …?” (a list of politicians to be assessed by respondents, % of total respondents) | ||||||||||
24-30.01.2022 | 31.01-06.02.2022 | 07-13.02.2022
| 14-20.02.2022 | 21-27.02.2022 | 28.02-06.03.2022 | 07-13.03.2022 | 14-20.03.2022 | 21-27.03.2022 | 28.03.-03.04.2022 | |
Zhirinovsky V.V. | 29.2 | 28.1
| 28.8
| 29.6 | 29.1 | 34.4 | 39.5 | 45.9 | 41.1 | 49.1 |
We all tend to trust some and distrust others. When it comes to politicians, who would you entrust with important state issues? (respondents were free to name politicians, any number of answers, % of total respondents; monthly average) | |||||||||||
| June 21 | July 21 | August.21 | September 21 | October 21 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | March 22 | |
Trust | |||||||||||
Zhirinovsky V.V. | 7.9 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 10.3 | |
2. Data of Russian nationwide household surveys with a sample of 1,600
To what extent do you trust Zhirinovsky? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| 15.IV.1994 | 6.IV.1994 | 20.VI.1995 | 15.VI.1999 |
Strongly trust | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Somewhat trust | 9 | 6 | 10 | 11 |
Somewhat distrust | 16 | 12 | 12 | 20 |
Strongly distrust | 72 | 64 | 74 | 64 |
3. Data of Russian nationwide surveys with a sample of 1,600
In your opinion, what Russian politician has a sense of humour? | |
III.2006 | |
Zhirinovsky | 57 |
Putin | 17 |
Luzhkov | 3 |
Chubais | 2 |
Khakamada | 1 |
Zyuganov | 1 |
Shoygu | 1 |
Shandybin | 1 |
Ivanov S. | 1 |
Fradkov | 1 |
Chernomyrdin | 1 |
Yavlinsky | 1 |
Don’t know | 30 |
What Russian politician would you like to make a joke about? (open-ended question, several answers; % of total respondents) | |
III.2006 | |
Zhirinovsky | 23 |
Chubais | 7 |
Putin | 5 |
Zyuganov | 2 |
Luzhkov | 2 |
Khakamada | 2 |
Yavlinsky | 1 |
Fradkov | 1 |
Shandybin | 1 |
Zurabov | 1 |
Gref | 1 |
Shoygu | 1 |
Don’t know | 58 |
4. VCIOM nationwide survey, sample of 1,600
What values and ideas did Vladimir Zhirinovsky promote? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents) | |
I.2008 | |
Social justice and equality (more freedoms to ordinary people, lessening the gap between the rich and the poor; supporting the ordinary people) | 6 |
Promoting his own interests | 6 |
Democratic values, protecting human rights | 5 |
Revival of the Russian people, Russian nation | 4 |
Nationalist ideas, “ethnic problem”, Russia for Russians | 4 |
He generates good ideas but he is not able to make them come true | 3 |
No values | 3 |
Fighting against corrupting | 1 |
Increase in living standards, income | 1 |
Family values, family policy | 0 |
Other | 1 |
Don’t know | 68 |
5. VCIOM nationwide telephone survey data
What feelings does Vladimir Zhirinovsky evoke in you? (closed-ended question, not more than 2 answers, % of total respondents) | |
IV.2016 | |
Respect | 25 |
Liking | 22 |
Distrust | 18 |
Indifference | 17 |
Hope | 8 |
Trust | 8 |
Disappointment | 8 |
Skepsis | 8 |
Dislikes | 6 |
Admiration | 5 |
Condemnation | 3 |
Hatred | 1 |
Liking | 0 |
Don’t know | 10 |
6. VCIOM-Sputnik survey data
What politician would you invite to your New Year eve’s table/ to celebrate the New Year’s Eve? Several answers are possible (open-ended question, up to 5 answers; answers that gained at least 2%) | |
XII.2021 | |
Putin | 21 |
Zhirinovsky | 9 |
Mishustin | 5 |
Shoygu | 5 |
Lavrov | 3 |
Navalny | 3 |
Bondarenko | 2 |
Zyuganov | 2 |
No one | 47 |
Other | 24 |
Don’t know | 12 |