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Old Saint Basil's Cathedral in MoscowJohnson's Russia List title and scenes of Saint Petersburg
Excerpts from the JRL E-Mail Community :: Founded and Edited by David Johnson
#2 - JRL 2007-161 - JRL Home
Russian Public Wants Govt To Clamp Down On Corruption - Poll

MOSCOW. July 24 (Interfax) - The government must give priority to the fight against corruption, a growing number of Russian citizens believe, according to the Yury Levada Analytical Center.

Forty-five percent of Russian citizens surveyed in July want the government to concentrate on the fight against corruption, compared with 41% in 2006 and 38% in 2005.

The share of respondents who prioritize the indexation of wages, pensions and benefits in order to neutralize inflation has grown by 6% to 39% from 33% a year earlier. The percentage of citizens who want prices for commodities and services to be lowered has shrunk from 47% to 40% over the past three years, and that of those who want prices to remain under state control has remained almost unchanged - 36% and 39%, respectively.

Thirty-five percent of those surveyed on July 13 to 16 in 128 populated areas in 46 regions said the government must support agriculture, 30% said law and order must be strengthened, and crime combated.

Twenty-six percent of those polled said the government must pay more attention to the problem of the ruble's strengthening, 22% said companies operating in key economic sectors must be returned to state ownership, 17% said wage and pension arrears must be repaid, 13% want the government to assist state enterprises and 12% want the defense- industry complex to be developed and the country's defense capability enhanced.

Thirteen percent of respondents want peace and accord in society maintained, 8% want the government to provide guarantees to private businesses, 6% mentioned tax collection and only 3% spoke about commodity supplies.

The overall figure tops 100%, because respondents were welcome to provide several answers.