MOSCOW, April 14, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data on anti-corruption initiative of the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev to require officials to declare their and their families` incomes: is this measure effective and whose declaration would Russians like to see?

n general Russians are well aware of the new anti-corruption initiative of the President Dmitry Medvedev: 43% of respondents say that they "heard something" about the presidential initiative requiring officials  and members of their families to declare their incomes, 33% say that they are "well informed" about it. 23% of respondents report they know nothing about it. Most of those who are more or less aware of the initiative of the president are metropolitan residents (85%) and supporters of the party "Fair Russia" (91%).

Almost every third (31%) consider Medvedev`s anti-corruption measure to be "good, long overdue anti-corruption measure". Those who have such point of view are mainly rural area residents (38%), as well as supporters of such parties as "United Russia" (35%), "Fair Russia" (34%) and representatives of Democrats electorate (33%). 26% of Russians think that this is a good measure, but Russians officials can circumvent it: small cities residents (29%) and "Fair Russia" party supporters (36%) tend to think so. 18% of Russians consider that this presidential initiative is a step in the right direction, but we should search for more effective ways to fight corruption: this stance is often shared by average cities` residents (24%) and those who support Democrats (25%). And finally, 15% of respondents regard Medvedev`s measure to be "populist step that will not bring real results":   Basically Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (25%) tend to think so, as well as CPRF and LDPR party adherents (20% for each).

The key argument of respondents who are skeptical about the effectiveness of this Presidential initiative is: insufficient rigidity of Russian laws and numerous "loopholes' in them" (17%). Those who think that this measure will not bring positive results because there is no equality of people before the Law and those who think so because state officials will not provide trustworthy information about their earnings are 2% for each group. 5% of Russians think that fighting against corruption is useless.  3% express the opinion that the main reason for ineffectiveness of this measure is that corrupt officials themselves will oppose it; the same share of Russians does not believe that the anti-corruption idea of the President will come into being. 2% of respondents are confident that state officials will easily circumvent this measure; 1% declares that such experience has already taken place and did not bring any results. More than half of Russians were undecided (51%).

Every tenth of (11%) consider that more severe punishment should be introduced to tackle graft. There are also such propositions as to provide greater control more control over the work of state servants (8%),  replace the authorities and to reduce the length of tenure, as well as to make the Law equal for everybody and punishment - inevitable (6% for each). Those respondents who think it necessary to quit bribing and strengthen public control as well as to increase sentence for bribery crimes are 3% for each group. Supporters of tough measures propose to introduce death penalty, repressions, and confiscation of property (2% for each group).  Rarer our respondents offer to increase officials salaries or to foster youth intolerance to corruption to tackle the problem (1% for each). 59% were undecided.

Most of Russians would like to look inside the declarations of income of Vladimir Putin (8%) and Vladimir Zhirinovsky (7%). 5% are interested in all other officials` declarations; 3% - in the declarations of their local authorities` representatives. Those who would like to know about the information of income of Yury Luzhkov, Gennady Zyuganov, and State Duma deputies and Government officials are 2% for each group. Russians who would like to see the declarations of Dmitry Medvedev, Valentina Matvienko, Roman Abramovich, Boris Grizlov and Sergey Mironov, as well as oligarchs` income declarations are 1% for each. Meanwhile, more than half of Russians (52%) report they are not interested in other people's income.

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on April 4 and 5, 2009. 

1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,

the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!