MOSCOW. Aug 2 (Interfax) - Russians who support the policy pursued by the government and those who oppose it have formed two equal camps, and although protest moods have somewhat stabilized, the number of people willing to participate in opposition actions is nevertheless tending to increase, as follows from a recent poll held by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).

file image
Every third respondent (31%) is content with Russia's current course, down by 9% from February 2009. People who voted for the United Russia party (48%), residents of large cities with populations over one million (44%), the so-called "XXI-people" (40%), people with high incomes (39%) and people aged 31-45 (36%) prevail among those who approve of the government's policy, while 35% of those polled disapprove of it. The latter include supporters of businessman Mikhail Prokhorov (63%), Communist Party supporters (55%), supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party (51%) and nearly half of the population of large cities (45%).

The poll was conducted in 100 communities in 43 Russian regions on July 28-29. A total of 1,500 of people were polled.

Among the pro-government respondents, 7% spoke about general improvements as compared to Yeltsin's rule, 5% praised the activity of the president and prime minister and their ability to control the country and steer it in the right direction. Others cited higher living standards (3%), a better law-and-order situation (3%), a clever social policy (3%), the strengthening of Russia's international authority and broader international cooperation (2%).

In the opposite camp, 13% complain about economic problems, continuing dependence on oil and gas exports and inflation, 8% criticize the "anti-popular social policy" and think that medicine, education and science do not receive proper attention, 6% are worried about the impoverishment of the population and low pensions, 4% view the government's actions as inconsistent, and others are concerned about corruption (3%) and unemployment (3%).

The index of protest moods is almost the same as in 2010 - 31 points against 29.3. More than a half of Russians (57%) said they would prefer the "against all" stance should an opposition rally be organized in their city.

The latest poll revealed, however, that the share of those that may join opposition actions has grown to 8% from 6% two weeks ago, while 9% said that they would criticize the government but would not take to the streets (up from 7% in the middle of July), and just 4% said that they would join a pro-government rally.

Keywords: Russia, Government, Protests, Politics - Russian News - Russia - Johnson's Russia List

MOSCOW. Aug 2 (Interfax) - Russians who support the policy pursued by the government and those who oppose it have formed two equal camps, and although protest moods have somewhat stabilized, the number of people willing to participate in opposition actions is nevertheless tending to increase, as follows from a recent poll held by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).

file image
Every third respondent (31%) is content with Russia's current course, down by 9% from February 2009. People who voted for the United Russia party (48%), residents of large cities with populations over one million (44%), the so-called "XXI-people" (40%), people with high incomes (39%) and people aged 31-45 (36%) prevail among those who approve of the government's policy, while 35% of those polled disapprove of it. The latter include supporters of businessman Mikhail Prokhorov (63%), Communist Party supporters (55%), supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party (51%) and nearly half of the population of large cities (45%).

The poll was conducted in 100 communities in 43 Russian regions on July 28-29. A total of 1,500 of people were polled.

Among the pro-government respondents, 7% spoke about general improvements as compared to Yeltsin's rule, 5% praised the activity of the president and prime minister and their ability to control the country and steer it in the right direction. Others cited higher living standards (3%), a better law-and-order situation (3%), a clever social policy (3%), the strengthening of Russia's international authority and broader international cooperation (2%).

In the opposite camp, 13% complain about economic problems, continuing dependence on oil and gas exports and inflation, 8% criticize the "anti-popular social policy" and think that medicine, education and science do not receive proper attention, 6% are worried about the impoverishment of the population and low pensions, 4% view the government's actions as inconsistent, and others are concerned about corruption (3%) and unemployment (3%).

The index of protest moods is almost the same as in 2010 - 31 points against 29.3. More than a half of Russians (57%) said they would prefer the "against all" stance should an opposition rally be organized in their city.

The latest poll revealed, however, that the share of those that may join opposition actions has grown to 8% from 6% two weeks ago, while 9% said that they would criticize the government but would not take to the streets (up from 7% in the middle of July), and just 4% said that they would join a pro-government rally.