Uninteresting elections
The interest of Russians to the state Duma elections has fallen by a quarter in comparison with the eve of the elections in 2011, show the results of a survey by the Levada center. Two months before the last election the topic has been relevant for almost two thirds of respondents (62% in October 2011, Sami discussed the election with friends or family or heard a conversation about them), in June 2016, less than half of Russians (45%) talk about the elections in his circle, or hear such talk.
It is quite natural that interest in the elections is low, — says Alexei Grazhdankin, Deputy Director of the Levada center. “Elections are held in the month of September, and two months before the election, the holidays, people are less interested in political issues, to a greater extent personal.” In addition, no serious political intrigue in these elections is not expected, said Grazhdankin. “It seems unlikely that will change the course of the country due to the fact that can come a new party,” he says.
Quite another picture was in the eve of the 1999 elections, before Vladimir Putin became President. In October-November of that year (the vote took place in December) the vast majority — 75% of the population — were somehow the topic of the upcoming vote. Did not represent the interest of this topic for a quarter of respondents (24%). Those elections won by the Communist party.
Or program leaders
For the “United Russia” will vote out of sympathy to the leaders of the party (so said 29% of those who are going to come to the polls and sympathetic to her) and because she’s “the most powerful, it supports most” (25%). Voslauer the party list for these elections, the Chairman of the party, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The program and the slogans of United Russia’s share is only 16% of its voters.
On the contrary, the most important reason to vote for the Communist party, its supporters called it the slogans and the program (46%). The second reason — tradition, the perennial sympathy to this party (32%). A quarter of the voters the Communists believe that the party can protect their interests (24%). To vote for the Communists because their leader Gennady Zyuganov wants only every fifth supporter (20%).
The situation is similar at “Fair Russia”. She mostly intend to vote for the proposed programme (42%). Her own party members called the new socialism. Sympathy to its leaders are only in fourth place among the reasons for her to choose (13%).
And the liberal democratic party, on the contrary, the main thing — the Chairman of the party Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Most sympathetic party (59%) claimed that this was the reason for her vote. This is what informed experts attributed the success of the party in the ratings. The proposals of the party are willing to vote a third of its supporters (32%).
The question of the crisis was the key for voters, so they turn to the program of the Communist party, believes the Deputy of the Communist party Vadim Soloviev. The country out of the crisis is the main point of the election program of the Communists. In the “United Russia” and LDPR everything rests on the personality of leaders, said Solovyov.
Honest Deputy
The most important qualities that should be possessed by the Deputy, the Russians considered the honesty and integrity (56%, you can choose several answers). Professionalism, competence and education only in second place (49%). For comparison, on the eve of elections 2011 professional-quality MPs Russians tied for first place (63% in November 2011). The third most important quality of the respondents closeness to people, openness and accessibility (37%).
The least important was the visual appeal and demeanor (2%).
“The last time there were serious doubts that the Duma independent, doubt that members can propose laws, something regulating in a particular area of public life is connected with it a certain attitude to the deputies,” says Grazhdankin.
Worse than in 2011
Speaking about the current Duma, the overwhelming majority of Russians either have a vague idea than the Parliament was engaged during his four years of work, or even did not know about it (44% and 46%, respectively). Only 7% of respondents have this “pretty complete performance”.
Nearly two-thirds of Russians assess the work of the current Duma deputies negatively (41% — rather negative, 21% — very negative). This figure is higher than the one that was on the eve of the 2011 elections. Then have a negative attitude to the work of parliamentarians 59% of citizens (42% — rather negative, 17% — very negative).
Completely positive work of deputies called only 1% of respondents, 15% were “mostly positive”.
The survey was conducted by Levada center from 23 to 27 June 2016 among 1,600 people aged 18 years and older in 137 localities of the 48 regions of the country. The study was conducted in the home of Respondent by personal interview.
