Russians think it is important to make certain changes to social and political life.
MOSCOW, March 31, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a monitoring study on the constitutional amendments related to social and political issues that Russians consider important.
As the continuation of a study of the Russian opinions concerning the proposed amendments to the Russian Constitution in the context of the upcoming nationwide vote VCIOM presents the data of a survey conducted on March 22 and 29, 2020.
Amendments to the Russian Constitution related to social issues
As a week ago, the state’s obligation to provide available and high-quality health services is considered important by most of Russians (95%).
For 91% of respondents yearly mandatory indexation of pensions is important; only 6% oppose them.
Eighty-eight percent of Russians recognize the importance of environment-oriented education and environment literacy. One in ten Russians (9%) oppose them.
Recognizing the Russian culture as a unique heritage of a multinational state is a priority for 87% of Russians; 10% oppose them.
Protection of animals and responsible treatment of animals would be an essential amendment, according to 86% of respondents (+1 p.p. since March 22); 11% disagree with them (-2 p.p.).
Amendments to the Russian Constitution related to political issues
The amendment lifting the restriction to run for president in the next presidential elections applied to the former or current Russian president is considered important by more than half of Russians (65%) (+4 p.p. since March 22); this stance is opposed by 26% of Russians.
Fifty-seven percent of Russians declare their support for this amendment (a 6-point increase compared to the previous week).
Sixty-four percent of respondents consider it important to create a public authority unified system (+7 p.p. since March 22); 21% oppose this opinion.
Broadening the powers of Russia’s State Duma (giving State Duma deputies the power to approve the appointment of the deputy prime ministers and federal ministers) is considered to be essential according to 55% of Russians (vs 47% on March 22; the percentage disagreeing with that is 33%.
Broadening the powers of Russia’s Federation Council (giving senators the power to participate in the appointment of defense and law enforcement ministries and prosecutors as well as judges in the key bodies) is important for 53% of the Russian citizens (this share has increased by 6 p.p. since March 22); 34% of respondents oppose them.
Forty percent of Russians think that it is important to allow certain federal agencies to be located in a city other than the capital; 49% of Russians disagree with this idea.
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on March 22 and 29, 2020 and commissioned by the Expert Institute for Social Research. 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.
Do you personally think it is important or not important to enshrine the following ideas in the Russian Constitution? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| 29.III | 22.III | ||
| Likely to be important | Likely to be unimportant | Likely to be important | Likely to be unimportant |
The state provides available and high quality health services | 95 | 3 | 95 | 4 |
Yearly indexation of pensions is mandatory | 91 | 6 | 92 | 6 |
The Russian government must create conditions for the promotion of environmental literacy, environment-oriented education for the Russian citizens* | 88 | 9 | - | - |
Recognizing the Russian culture as a unique cultural heritage of a poly-ethnic nation* | 87 | 10 | - | - |
Protecting animals, promoting responsible treatment of animals | 86 | 11 | 85 | 13 |
* The question concerning this amendment was asked for the first time on March 29, 2020
Do you personally think it is important or not important to enshrine the following ideas in the Russian Constitution? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| 29. III | 22. III | ||
| Likely to be important | Likely to be unimportant | Likely to be important | Likely to be unimportant |
Lifting the restrictions to run for president in the next elections for a person who has held or currently holds presidential office in Russia | 65 | 26 | 61 | 30 |
Creating a public authority unified system | 64 | 21 | 57 | 24 |
Broadening the powers of Russia’s State Duma. State Duma deputies will be able to approve the appointment of the deputy prime ministers and federal ministers | 55 | 33 | 47 | 39 |
Broadening the powers of Russia’s Federation Council. Senators will be able to participate in the appointment of defense and law enforcement ministries and prosecutors as well as judges in the key bodies | 53 | 34 | 47 | 39 |
The seat of certain federal agencies may be in a city other than the capital* | 40 | 49 | - | - |
*The question concerning this amendment was asked for the first time on March 29, 2020.
Do you personally support or oppose the introduction of the following amendments to the Russian Constitution? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| 29.III | 22.III | ||
| Likely to support | Likely to oppose | Likely to support | Likely to oppose |
Lifting the restrictions to run for president in the next elections for a person who has held or currently holds presidential office in Russia | 57 | 33 | 51 | 39 |
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.