The survey took place between 17 and 20 April 2015 and was conducted throughout all of Russia in both urban and rural settings. The survey was carried out among 1600 people over the age of 18 in 134 localities of 46 of the country’s regions. The answer distribution is presented as percentages of the number of participants along with data from previous surveys. The statistical error of these studies does not exceed 3.4%.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CONTENT OF THE “DIRECT LINE” WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN (HIS LIVE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM RUSSIAN CITIZENS), THAT WAS HELD A WEEK AGO ON APRIL 16?
|
|
Apr. 14 |
Apr. 15 |
|
I watched it on TV |
48 |
45 |
|
I read Vladimir Putin’s answers in a magazine or online |
5 |
6 |
|
I have read discussions about this “Direct Line” in magazines or online, but I didn’t watch it or read Vladimir Putin’s answers |
6 |
10 |
|
I have heard about this “Direct Line,” but I don’t know what it was about |
36 |
37 |
|
This is the first I have heard about this “Direct Line” |
5 |
3 |
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING EVENTS SUCH AS THE “DIRECT LINES”? (in % of respondents who were familiar with the contents of the “Direct Line”)
|
|
Apr. 15 |
|
So that the country’s leadership is aware of the concerns and worries of Russian citizens |
44 |
|
So that the President can demonstrate the political line of leadership to the people of Russia |
34 |
|
In order to boost Vladimir Putin’s popularity and ratings |
20 |
|
It is difficult to say |
2 |
IN WHICH ANSWERS DURING THE “DIRECT LINE” WERE YOU THE MOST INTERESTED? (in % of respondents who were familiar with the contents of the “Direct Line”; multiple answers given)
|
|
Apr. 15 |
|
Crimea, Ukraine, Donbass, and the Minsk Agreements |
47 |
|
The pension reform |
39 |
|
The increase in prices, inflation, and falling income levels of the population |
35 |
|
Strengthening the ruble |
35 |
|
The economic crisis |
35 |
|
Medicine |
28 |
|
The West’s sanctions and Russia’s reciprocal sanctions |
28 |
|
Unemployment, cutbacks, the need to prepare highly qualified personnel |
25 |
|
The development of agriculture |
20 |
|
The Great Patriotic War and veterans’ problems |
16 |
|
The opposition; the death of Boris Nemtsov |
15 |
|
Help for the victims of the fires in Khakassia |
15 |
|
Support for small businesses |
15 |
|
School exams |
13 |
|
Fascism, Stalinism, and radical nationalism |
13 |
|
High interest rates for loans; foreign currency mortgages |
13 |
|
Increase in the requirements for Certified Third Party auto insurance |
12 |
|
The reliability of the Russian banking system; the increase in bank deposits |
12 |
|
The construction of the “Vostochny” cosmodrome |
12 |
|
Industrial production and the weaponization of the Russian Army |
12 |
|
The development of relations between Russia and the CIS states |
11 |
|
The increase in capital outflow |
11 |
|
The allies and enemies of Russia |
11 |
|
Demographics (increase in birth rates and life expectancy) |
10 |
|
His dog |
9 |
|
Whether it is difficult to be the President |
10 |
|
The cancelation of local trains in several regions |
9 |
|
Improving relations with the West |
9 |
|
Making public the salaries of executive leadership in large companies |
9 |
|
Government workers |
9 |
|
The cancelation of Russia’s ban on supplying arms to Iran |
9 |
|
The transport problems in Crimea |
8 |
|
Consolidation of society; trust and patience of Russian citizens |
7 |
|
The renaming of a street in Moscow in honor of Vladimir Vysotsky |
7 |
|
Mistral |
6 |
|
The ban on foreign travel for law enforcement employees |
5 |
|
The Islamic State |
5 |
|
Other |
1 |
|
It is difficult to say |
3 |
IN WHICH ANSWERS DURING THE “DIRECT LINE” WERE YOU THE MOST INTERESTED? (in % of respondents who were familiar with the contents of the “Direct Line”; multiple answers given)
|
|
Apr. 14 |
|
Crimea and future relations with Ukraine |
66 |
|
The West’s sanctions after the accession of Crimea to Russia and the implications for ordinary citizens |
40 |
|
Corruption, bureaucracy |
34 |
|
High prices, inflation |
31 |
|
Medicine |
24 |
|
The public utilities |
24 |
|
Increasing pensions, material capital, and other social assistance programs for Crimean residents |
18 |
|
Russia’s rapprochement with China |
17 |
|
Education |
16 |
|
The Olympic and Paralympic games in Sochi |
15 |
|
Assistance for young families; employment and housing assistance for youth |
13 |
|
Housing situation |
13 |
|
Falling prices of grains and rising prices for bread (agriculture) |
12 |
|
Roads |
11 |
|
Personal relations with Barack Obama (would Obama save Putin if he were drowning?) |
10 |
|
The intentions of marriage |
8 |
|
Non-governmental organizations and opposition |
6 |
|
Raising wages and pensions; increasing standards of living |
5 |
|
The question of when a democracy will arrive: fair elections, equality before the law |
4 |
|
The question of whether or not Russian Special Services are conducting massive online surveillance (question from Edward Snowden) |
4 |
|
The state of the economy |
3 |
|
Other |
2 |
|
It is difficult to say |
3 |
Translated by Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (formerly Monterey Institute of International Studies).