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Poll: Most Russians wouldn't want Stalin as leader again

MOSCOW. March 4 (Interfax) - The Russian public is divided in its attitude on Josef Stalin: 60% would not want to live under his leadership again, while 31% would not object to his return.

The figures come from a poll of 1,500 adults taken by Bashkirov and Partners.

Asked about the role Stalin played in history, 47% called it generally positive and 43% described it as generally negative. Respondents aged 60 and over tended to praise Stalin (69%), while young people 18 to 29 were least enthusiastic (37%).

In another poll taken by the Yury Levada center, people were asked about the possibility of erecting a monument to Stain for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II: 37% were opposed to the idea, 29% backed it, and 28% were indifferent.

In a poll of 1,600 adults conducted by the VTsIOM polling firm, 52% said that modern Russia doesn't need a politician like Stalin, while 42% said it does.

Saturday will mark the 52nd anniversary of Stalin's death.