47% of Russians want to see V. Putin as president after 2024, 42% do not want that to happen. This ratio has not changed for the past two years. Russians believe that V. Putin primarily represents the interests of the “siloviki”, “oligarchs” and high-ranking government officials. A quarter of Russians are sure there is a personality cult of V. Putin, 21% see the prerequisites for it, 41% do not believe that such a cult exists. According to respondents the cause of public support for the president is that “people do not see who else they can rely on”.
Publications
Smart voting
During the last election campaign, the “Smart voting” proposed by Alexei Nav alny and his supporters was a highly discussed topic. However, 65% of Russians say they do not know anything about this initiative, 8% of respondents know and support the initiative, 10% do not support it. Another 16% said they had heard of this initiative, but do not know what it is really about.
Trust in public institutions
The following institutions enjoy the greatest support among Russians: the army (61%), the president (53%), special services (45%), the church and religious organizations (40%), charities (36%).
Election Results
Turnout 55% of Russians replied that they voted in the State Duma elections. This is slightly more than in 2016 (51%), but significantly less than in 2017 (70%). Party list voting results 38% of Russians who voted said that they voted for United Russia, which is less than the numbers during the previous election. 24% […]
Attitude of Russians towards large purchases
The Feasibility index of large purchases has sunk to the level of the beginning of 2021. The growth of the group of the most prosperous Russians with the greatest purchasing power is insignificant (116 points; in June it was 113 points). The absence of significant positive dynamics in the country as a whole indicates a limited consumer potential and possible economic concerns of the respondents. Meanwhile the pre-election subsidies can positively affect the consumer sentiment in the short term.
Approval of institutions, the state of affairs in the country, trust in politicians
Assessments of the state of affairs in the country remain at the same level. The level of approval of the work of the President and other state institutions has slightly increased.
Savings of Russians in August
According to the latest study of the financial situation of households, conducted by the Levada-Center in August, 32% of Russians have savings. This indicator is quite stable, and has not changed compared to a similar study in October 2020 (31%).
What do Russians think Russia should be like?
Two-thirds (66%) of Russians would like to see Russia first of all “a country with a high standard of living, even if not one of the most powerful countries in the world.” This is the maximum in the entire history of observations. Half of Russians prefer the Soviet political system, more than two thirds prefer a planned economy.
International relations: August 2021
Russians have started to treat Western countries and Ukraine better compared to the spring of 2021. More than half of Russians believe that the country is isolated. 44% believe that Russia should treat the West “as an ally”.
Protest sentiment
Compared to the beginning of the year, the number of Russians who are expecting mass protests has decreased. Even though the willingness to participate in them has increased. The rate of readiness differs by consumer status, views on the state of affairs in the country and the level of approval of the president’s work.