Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

A vast majority of Russians (90–91%) perceive positively the idea to enshrine in the constitution the indexation of pensions and allowances and set a minimum monthly rate not lower than the subsistence rate.

MOSCOW, February 3, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to the attitudes of Russians towards the proposed amendments to the Russian Constitution.

A vast majority of Russians (90–91%) perceive positively the idea to enshrine a regular indexation of pensions, allowances and other social benefits and to set a minimum monthly rate at a level not lower than the subsistence rate in the Constitution.

The proposals to alter the qualifications for presidential candidates and to raise the residency requirement to 25 years are highly approved by respondents (87%). Russians are also in favor of the proposal to authorize the Constitutional Court to test the constitutionality of bills upon the request of the president (81% are likely to approve it). Banning the State Duma deputies, senators and municipal public officials  from having a foreign country citizenship or a residence permit in another country  is perceived positively by 68% of Russians (14% are likely to be negative about it).

Authorizing the president to appoint heads of ministries, agencies, regional prosecutors is perceived positively by 66% of Russians; 12% gave negative views. Sixty-six percent of Russians also view positively a proposal to ban the same person from serving two terms in a row (twelve years) as president. The proposal to prioritize the Russian Constitution over the decisions of international associations and international treaties in case they contravene the Constitution is favored by 63% of Russians; 14% oppose that.

Most of Russians (60–62%) favor the idea to extend the power of the Federation Council and to authorize the State Duma to approve the prime-minister, deputy prime-ministers and ministers.

Seventy-nine percent of Russians consider it important to adopt the amendments which are proposed; they are mainly residents of million-plus cities (86%) and less often the 18-24-year-olds 61%) and metropolitan residents (72%) alone.

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted January 24, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

Are the proposed amendments to the Constitution likely to be important or unimportant to you personally?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and older

Likely to be important

79

61

79

81

81

81

Likely to be unimportant

16

35

18

14

14

14

Don’t know

5

4

3

5

5

5

Are the proposed amendments to the Constitution likely to be important or unimportant to you personally? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Moscow, St Petersburg

Million-plus cities

500-950 thsd inhabitants

100–500 thsd inhabitants

Less than  100 thsd

Rural area

Likely to be important

79

72

86

78

80

81

78

Likely to be unimportant

16

24

10

18

15

16

15

Don’t know

5

4

4

4

5

3

7

What are your attitudes regarding the following proposed amendments to the Constitution (positive, negative or indifferent)?  (closed-ended question, one answer per line, % of total respondents)

 

Likely positive

Likely negative

Likely indifferent

Don’t know

Mandatory regular indexation of pensions

91

1

5

3

Mandatory indexation of allowances and social benefits

91

1

5

3

Minimal monthly rate cannot be lower than the subsistence rate

90

5

3

2

Only person who has lived in Russia at least 25 years and who has no foreign citizenship or residence permit in  another country can run for president  

87

5

6

2

Constitutional Court will be able to test the constitutionality of bills approved by the State Duma upon the request of the president. If the bills do not correspond to the constitution they will not be signed by the president.

81

4

9

6

Banning heads of regions, members of the government, judges, members of the State Duma or the Federation Council, public officials, municipal public officials from having foreign citizenship or a residence permit in another state

68

14

13

5

Heads of certain ministries and agencies (such as Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense), regional prosecutors will be appointed personally by the president after consultation with the Federation Council

66

12

16

6

The same person will not be able to serve more than two terms in a row as president  (i.e. more than twelve years)

66

15

12

7

If the decisions of international organization or provisions of international treaties contravene the Russian Constitution, they will not be performed

63

14

10

13

The Federation Council will be granted authority to dismiss the judges of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court,  cassation and appeal courts

62

10

18

10

The State Duma will be granted authority to confirm the appointment of the prime minister, prime minister deputies, ministers upon the proposal of the president

61

10

20

9

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.

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