The share of Russians who think that the opposition is needed and who admit that it may come to power has increased.
MOSCOW, November 7, 2013. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning how Russians assess the role of the opposition in the life of the country as well its chances to come to power.
Over the recent eight years the public opinion about the opposition has changed. The share of those who believe that the opposition should set its political course and coming to power has increased from 29 to 40%. At the same time, a relative majority of Russians still think that the opposition should point out to the power what is wrong and help solving the problems (50%; in 2005 – 54%).
More Russians believe that the true democracy cannot exist without opposition (from 33 to 48%). On the contrary, less Russians believe that the opposition is not necessary, if the political, economic and social situation in the country is normal (from 48 to 42% over eight years).
Respondents ambiguously assess the current role of the opposition in the political life of the country compared to seven or eight years ago. Twenty eight percent of Russians believe that its influence has increased (22% in 2005); 30% oppose them stating that its role has decreased; 32% say that nothing has changed (21% earlier).
Those who say that the role of the opposition has grown today are supporters of non-parliament parties (42%).
Thirty seven percent of respondents tend to think that the opposition has less chance to come to power today that it was seven or eight years ago; those who think so are mainly residents of big cities of Russia (47%). The share of those who think that the opposition has more chances to come to power has decreased (23%). And finally, 30% of respondents report that the situation has not changed over the recent years.
The VCIOM opinion polls were conducted on September 14-15, 2013. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
There are different opinions concerning the opposition`s role in the modern society. Which of the following statements do you most agree? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
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| 2005 | 2013 |
1. | The role of the opposition is to set the political course and to come to power | 29 | 40 |
The opposition should point out mistakes to the power and help working | 54 | 50 | |
Hard to tell | 17 | 10 | |
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| 2005 | 2013 |
2. | The true democracy cannot exist without political opposition | 33 | 48 |
If the political, social and economic situation in the country is normal, there is no need in political opposition | 48 | 42 | |
Hard to tell | 19 | 10 | |
In your opinion, does the opposition play bigger or smaller role in the political life of the modern Russia, as it was seven or eight years ago? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2005 | 2013 |
The role has increased | 22 | 28 |
The role has decreased | 33 | 30 |
The opposition`s role has not changed over the recent seven or eight years | 21 | 32 |
Hard to tell | 24 | 10 |
In your opinion, does the opposition have more or less chances to win at the elections, as it was seven or eight years ago? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100 - 500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
More chances | 23 | 27 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 25 | 25 |
Less chances | 37 | 31 | 42 | 47 | 38 | 32 | 37 |
Nothing has changed | 30 | 32 | 24 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 30 |
Hard to tell | 10 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
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!