Updated September 12, 2008

   The majority of the Russians speak well of the CIS and the European Union. However, their attitude towards NATO and the USA is so negative that the majority of

Russia's citizens think that in the soviet times the world has been safer than today.

Such are the results of the latest survey held by the sociologists of the VCIOM (All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center).

   The majority of the Russians surveyed (68%) have positive opinion of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Only 9% dislike their neighbors, and 15% of the Russians treat negatively the European Union. However, 48% of the surveyed speak well

of the EU. As for NATO, the majority of the surveyed are sure that mostly the USA plays the primary role here, not Europe.

At the moment, two thirds of the Russians surveyed (65%) speak about the negative attitude towards the USA.

Though, earlier in June, this index was 29%, and 49% of the surveyed treated America positively.

Nevertheless, only 22% of the Russians continue to speak positively of the USA after the war conflict in Georgia. 11% of the surveyed is sure that Russia-America relations became hostile. 37% of the surveyed considers them tense, and 29% – cool.

   According to the data, the Russians treat NATO as a purely military organization that threatens directly Russia.

So, only 12% of the surveyed treat positively the North Atlantic Organization, and negatively – 63%. Thus, this source of threats makes the Russians fear, judging by the fact that within many years people are sure, as though "the world has been safer, and the international situation – more quiet and stable" in the soviet times. If in February of the previous year, 47% of the surveyed thought so, now 50% of the citizens are convinced of that statement.

Expert comments
Valery Federov, VCIOM's chief executive

   The reason of such unique nostalgia for "the Cold War" is an "atomic bomb". Everyone remembers that the bipolar world is a doctrine of the guaranteed mutual assured destruction, where nobody gambles.

If any war happens, it takes place in the neck of the woods – Mozambique, Angola.

However, such war conflicts didn't arouse any concerns.

Therefore, the Russians felt quite comfortable during the soviet times, despite the feeling of the besieged fortress and the exaggerated military and industrial complex. It was clear that there is a balance of powers, and a war will not start.

   However, people don' t have such confidence anymore.

It started to disappear in the Eltsin times that now seem the most peaceful and safe period for only 5% of the Russians surveyed. The peace-compelling war operation conducted by Russia in Georgia didn' t inspire any confidence in

the Russians. Only 26% of the surveyed consider that today's times are the most peaceful (34% a year ago). However, Russia's citizens consider that any significant changes in the world rules hasn't taken place and wait that in the nearest future the status-quo recovers, though it will not protect the Russians from concerns for the peace and calm.

Updated March 31, 2008

   The majority of Russians still appreciates highly Vladimir Putin and is fully content with his Prime Minister post.

But the majority would not like to change the presidential form of government

to the parliamentary one in Russia.

Such is the result of the last public opinion polls conducted by the analytic Levada Center.

   Only 10% of the Russians admits the state government by the Prime Minister, in case Vladimir Putin holds the post. Two thirds of Russians (67%) "prefer the current system of state government providing strong presidential power". And it is explained not by "the traditional people's love to tsar", but by the distrust of the parliamentary system.

In fact, now the Russians choose

the state head directly, and after passing to the parliamentary system, the state head will actually become the Prime Minister, whom appoints the party, which has received the majority of parliamentary seats in the State Duma at the elections.

The majority of Russians is not going to re-trust their right to the State Duma deputies exactly because they disbelieve the independence of that party which has won the last State Duma elections.

   United Russia (the Russian leading party) "does not have its own, apart from Putin, legitimacy" as considered by the population. 66% of Russians polled by Levada Center sociologists is sure that United Russia deputies have won only because they have been supported by Vladimir Putin". As 18% of Russians assume, the second significant constituent part of success has been the administrative resource which United Russia has used. And only 10% appreciates "the attractive pre-election program", which was named "Putin's plan – Russia's victory!". Behind this opinion about the winner is hidden the disbelief in the democracy of the l ast elections

as well

as mistrust of the parliament as the power institution.

   However, the absolute trust to

the president as the power institution does not yet guarantee the absolute trust of Russians to a man who has occupied the president post. In any way, president Medvedev will not be as popular after inauguration as Prime Minister Putin, if the Russians' opinion does not change in the nearest months.

According to the trust rating conducted in March, the current president outstripped (59%) the elected president (41%). Thus, the amount of those who "have supported the activity of the president Putin" has increased up to 77% in March, 2008 (2001- 57%, 2007 – 70%). And the stake of Russians who think that Vladimir Putin "has created mainly the favorable impression" has increased up to 81% (2001 – 58%, 2007 – 76%). Thus, the Russians know that Vladimir Putin can participate in the next presidential elections 2012.

And 55% wants him to win these elections, though 19% is against.

   If the successor decides to change this situation in his favor, he, as it seems, may need to surpass achievements of president Put in in the areas prior to the Russians. According to Levada Center survey, the top three of the Putin achievements comprises: "the economic state development" (21%), "increase of the Russian standards of living, growth of salaries and pensions" (16%), "increase of optimism, hopes for the quicker improvement of the situation in the country" (12%). Thus, the 42-year Dmitry Medvedev has to take into consideration that people aged 25-39 years and the so-called upper middle class speak about the support of Putin activities more often, 77% among which is sure that "the country follows the correct direction".

   On this background it is more reasonable for president Medvedev to distance himself from "the national projects" by keeping all problems which have arisen with their realization on the government so for the sake of his own rating growth. People, as sociologists found out, are displeased with "the national projects", although the number of those who are sure that money allocated to these national projects would be "stolen", has reduced more than twice (from 31% in 2006 to 15% in 2008). At the same time within the years of the national projects realization, grows the stake of the Russians considering that these measures do not improve the situation in none of these four industries. If in 2006 42% of the Russians considered the national education project ineffective, in 2008 this number reached 45%. The number of the dissatisfied with the state of health care has increased from 44% up to 54%. 60% of polled did not observe changes in providing of housing two years ago, now this number is 66%. And 52% of polled did not accept changes in agriculture, now it is 62%.

   But the most important what Dmitry Medvedev should take into consideration is that the majority of the Russians treats the Putin stabilization extremely carefully and understands perfectly that it is attained "by means of rejection of democratic transformations and market reforms". So considers 46% of polled. And 73% is sure that it is "good" when stability is attained due to rejection of democracy.

Actuality March 25, 2008

    Russian

s have adapted themselves on the whole to the new economic relations for the 15-year reforms period as considers the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) corresponding member, RAS Sociology Institute director Mikhail Gorshkov.

He spoke at the press-conference devoted to the 50th anniversary of sociology revival in Russia.

According to the scientist "90% of population considers that proprietary right should be sacred".

   The sociologist stated the peculiarity of democracy understanding in Russia unlike the western understanding.

"Under the democracy concept we understand not social and political, but social and economic subject matter", said Gorshkov and explained that "everything that envisages the increase of living standard of people, provides principles of social justice and order is democratic for the Russians, besides the western criteria (equality before the law, providing of the objective legal proceeding etc.)".

   Moreover, according to the studies of the sociologists, the Russian society is far from the desired social structure at which the middle class would amount 60-70% of population. According to Mikhail Gorshkov data, 21% of the Russians are below the poverty line, and 17% balance on this edge.

The one fourth of the population is qualified as poor, and the middle class amounts only the one third.

5% of the Russians are rich.

   Gorshkov marked that "the middle class grows only around 0,8% a year". " We do not see the change signs of the social structure in the nearest 10 years.

And we should work with this structure", he said. Mikhail Gorshkov also paid attention to " the hierarchy of

the Russian young people value system that remains the same as well as decades ago.

Although they do not admit this and do not tell their peers".

The RAS academician, the RAS Institute of Social and Political Studies director Gennady Osipov stated that "only three public institutes have the 50-percent rating: the president, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Orthodox Church".

   Inhabitants of large cities of Russia spend RUR 3000-4600 ($120 – $184) for children monthly.

Such poll conducted the international research company Nielsen (ACNielsen) among 2100 people in five Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Samara.

According to the research, about the third of this money get chain stores. According to the data of Nielsen, there are more than 50 cha ins

of baby-goods stores in Russia today.

   For the last 6 months 80 % of respondents visited baby-goods chain stores and 69 % of respondents did their shopping in this kind of retail trade.

Baby-goods chain stores are followed by shopping centers (there buyers leave 16 % from a total sum of expenses), usual unspecialized shops – 14 %, super-and hypermarkets, share of which in cumulative expenses for baby-goods totaled, according to the research, 12 %.

   In Moscow the leadership of baby-goods chain stores is even more obvious: there buyers leave 41 % from the general expenses in baby-goods chain supermarkets, 10 % – in usual shops, 19 % – in shopp ing centers.

Purchase amount leaders are "Children's Paradise" and "Banana-mama".

   Nielsen studied purchases of goods in the following categories: children's clothes, children's footwear, toys (except videogame consoles, computer games), goods for sports and rest, furniture and large-sized goods, school supplies and goods for children' s creativity, fiction book

s and textbook

s for children, baby food, diaper

s and hygiene accommodations.

As it turned out, children's clothes, children's footwear, school supplies, furniture and large-sized goods are expenses' leaders.
In baby-goods chain stores the maximum share of sales – from 56 % to 47 % – fall at toys, baby food, diapers and hygiene accommodations. Goods for sports and rest, textbooks the majority of the polled prefer to buy in other shops.

According to the data of the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC), today young people in Russia do not aspire to make a career because of uncertainty in their future professional success.

The majority of Russian inhabitants at the age of 18-35 years old (this is the very age interval that is defined as “youth”) skeptically estimates their career prospects.

ARPORC has studied the viewpoints of 1600 people from 153 settlements, in 46 regions, territories and republics of Russia and has come to the following conclusion: about a quarter of interviewees (24 %) considers that it is a little bit easier to become successful in creative sphere, than in business, management, and especially in politics.

The answer is predictable if to consider, that now there are many propositions from mass media representatives to become a star or even a people’s artist. It appears that not only teenagers, who go to school, but also quite conscious citizens trust the promise that to become well-known equally means to become rich.

The writer’s profession also belongs to the same sphere.

Young people consider that it is not very difficult to earn well on own books in the days of freedom of the press. There is only a prospect to become the head if to work at office on an administrative job from dusk to dawn. Then one can achieve well-being or even stable earnings as a reward for good work that will be enough for young people.

So consider 14% of interviewees. There are no any doubts in the efficiency of such way of career rise.

The executive positions in Russia are occupied by young employees in increasing frequency.

And it is quite non-obligatory to jump over some steps to reach the top  position. Many students begin their professional activity with the very first years of studying at the university.

In spite of the fact that political activity receives popularity among students and youth parties, in practice only 7% of interviewed young people consider, that one can make a successful career in this sphere. Perhaps, activists are motivated by ideological aspirations when going in for politics, but not by the itch for money. Young people are attracted by prospects in business most of all: 58% of interviewed would like to become successful exactly in business. At the same time, only 45% would like to become successful in administrative work, and 23-25 % in politics and creative spheres accordingly.

The most optimistic in the estimations of career prospects are young people in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The most pessimistic are young people in small towns and villages.

It is not strange, because in fact the same public organizations and large enterprises that have good career prospects are basically situated in large cities.

Frequently the provincial young people cannot simply find application for

their professional abilities because of the lack of the suitable enterprises in small cities.

The most ambitious of them leave “to conquer the capital” hoping to pass the castings and “to become a star” and, of course, to earn money.

It is possible to give some answer variants to the question what factor guarantees a good career rise. The conclusion is obvious. Time changes, but the public opinion remains practically the same.

It is not necessary to apply superfluous efforts to get a job in the office and to take up an administrative post that is on the second place on popularity and opportunities of earnings, one needs only to look around and understand if there are “useful” acquaintences among your friends.

It is necessary to have the so-called “useful contacts” to get good job. So consider more than a half of interviewed young people (59%). It is possible without a great effort, but with a guarantee to become successful in any professional sphere if to marry (or to get married) successfully, so consider the same 59% of interviewees. It is important to have rich parents for a good career too, so consider 39% of respondents. Well, it is quite reasonable that if parents are not oligarches who can give their child an executive position in their own holding company, they can still have necessary acquaintances. The talent, strange though it may seem, can also affect the career in a good way. Even if there are no other factors listed above. About 35% of polled hope to earn on their oneness. 26% of young people consider that to live in the large center like Moscow and St. Petersburg is already a half of success and a hope for successful career.

The fact of luck is considered only by 13% of interviewees. 9% of respondents are eager to learn the skill of adaptation and to flatter the chief in time for the sake of career and 6 % are ready to start close relationships. 4% of respondents rely on attractive appearance and physical strength accordingly.

The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC) presents the data, how Russians: adults and children spend their leisure.

So, only 71% of Russians have free time.

Still, only 31% among them believe that they have enough free time, and 40% complain of its lack.

Also, 27% have specified, that they practically do not have free time at all.

The most “free” people are elderly Russians: two thirds of them (64%) do have free time and that’s enough for them.

The most “busy” are people of 25-59 years

old, 32-35% of them are in

a const

ant mad rush.

In spite of this, most of the interviewees (51%) consider that rest and leisure conditions became better in Russia for the last years. Two years ago

only 41% of interviewees had the same point of view.

At the same time, the number of those who complain about deterioration of leisure conditions has decreased (from 26% up to 17%).

The interviewees considering themselves endowing (70 %) or so-so-to-do (53 %) are more inclined to point the improvements in leisure sphere.

There are only 37% in a poorly provided group th at are ready to agree with such point of view.

At the same time, Russians began to spend the free time more actively, than earlier. They began to communicate with their friends more often (33%, it was 23 % earlier), to spend their time in the nature (27% and 13%), to listen to music and to watch video (19% and 12%). The number of those who have hobby (from 7% up to12 %), and also those who like to sit by the computer (from 5% up to12 %) had practically doubled.

But among the leaders are the next ways of leisure spending: TV watching, listening of the broadcasts (56%, in 2005 – 45%) and household chores (51% and 40%), as well as two years ago.

The half of interviewees does not have a favorite hobby (48 %). The remained more often mention the kinds

of leisure connected with the stay in the nature.

It is tourism, hunting, fishing, gathering of berries and mushrooms (8%), and also various kinds of needlework, gardening and truck farming, acquaintance with literary works and arts (in 6%). 4% of interviewees are fond of going in for sports and 3% like housekeeping.

The ways of leisure time spending of children and teenagers are a little bit changed in comparison with 2005 year. The number of children being keen on a computer (from 10% up to 23 %), watching TV (from 15% up to 21%), listening to music (from 10% up to 17%) has increased according to their parents supervision. Still, children do not read enough.

Books are read by 8% of children and teenagers, children's newspapers and magazines are read only by 4-5%.

Initiative All-Russian poll of interrogation ARPORC was conducted on August, 18-19, 2007. There were 1579 people interviewed in 153settlements, in 46 regions, territories and republics of Russia.

The statistical error does not exceed 3,4 %.

The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC) presents the facts, how Russians estimate inflation as a whole and a price rise of food products in particular. What causes of inflation do they see

?
The number of the interviewees estimating inflation in the country as very high has increased for three months, from July till October, 2007, by 30% (from 52% to 82%). At the same time the amount of those who consider a price rise reasonable or very slight has decreased (from 8% to 1% and from 35% to 13% accordingly).

In comparison with the last year the number of the respondents connecting the causes of inflation with avidity of dealers and manufacturers, monopolization (from 7 % to 12 %), import of foreign production (from 2 % to 7 %) has increased. At the same time the amount of those, who explains inflation by inactivity and irresponsibility of authorities (from 13 % to 8 %), by price rise of oil and other energy carriers (from 11 % to 3 %), of gasoline (from 8 % to 1 %), by undeveloped economy (from 8 % to 4 %) has decreased. It is difficult to mark out the causes of inflation for every second.

According to the estimation of 38% of interviewees, the prices for products which they usually buy have increased by 20-25%. The prices have increased at least twice in opinion of 32% of respondents. Public opinion marked out price rise by 10-15% on the average even three months ago.

The most tangible for Russians is a price rise of dairy products and seed-oil (74%) and 82% of interviewees fix a significant price rise of these kinds of products (for comparison, three months ago a significant price rise on dairy products said only 26% polled). Also 56% of interviewees specify an essential price rise on meat and meat products, 48-49% mentioned bakery products, and also groats and macaroni, 41% mentioned vegetables and fruits.

Only 5% of interviewees spend less than a quarter

of family budget for food expenditures.

29 % spend 25-49% of their incomes for meal, 60% spend over half of family income for meal, including 18%, where almost all incomes are spent for meal (75% and moreover). In spite of a price rise of products, the share including products expenditures of the Russian family budget has not yet changed.

Every second interviewee is going to limit the product expenditures.

One third of respondents (34%) points out, that the price rise of products will cause a loss to the family budget, but will not influence their meal.

The part of those who is going to limit the diet is 30 % in Moscow and St.

Petersburg; it is 46-50% in large and average cities and 57-60% in small cities, villages.

The majority of interviewees (75 %) considers that such price rise of products should have been prevented (from 57% in a group of those who treat themselves as endowing, about 86 % among poorly provided group). 15% of interviewees believe, that this price rise is caused by objective reasons, and 5% suppose that this is because of natural instability of prices.

Initiative All-Russian poll of ARPORC was conducted on October, 20-21, 200. There were 1600 people interviewed in 153 settlements, in 46 regions, territories and republics of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3,4 %.

Within the bounds of the corporate program of macroeconomic research the Rosgosstrakh (the Russian state insurance company) calculated a number of indices which define economical state of Russians living in cities and towns of Russia.

As it was reported by insurance company, the pole, which was the ground for index calculation, was carried out in summer, 2007.

It covered 44 cities with population of more than 100 thousand people.

13 thousand 764 people were polled.

According to the research a number of conclusions were made.

The index increase of current state indicates that consumers could considerably raise their income level lately.

In comparison with 2005 and 2006 Russian citizens became much more optimistic in evaluations of their own future, and also in perspectives of economical developing of the country and the city which they live in. Significant growth of Individual Income Tax (IIT) and other indices proves that.

The level of optimism of inhabitants of cities with different number of population progressively improves.
The same situation is observed at analysis of public moods as for property and age groups.

It speaks for more even rise of living standard than in preceding years.

Consumers expect the income growth not only in near-term outlook, but they are also sure that the economy of Russia has good medium-term

outlook of growth which is indicated by the growth of indices of near-term and long-term anticipations.

Similar values of indices of public and personal anticipations show, that the population connects perspectives of growth of well-being to the economy development of the country.
As the manager of Center of Strategical researches of Rosgosstrakh Aleksey Zubets says, the ideas of the population as for the economical future are the reflection of previous experience. Therefore the last five years of persistent growth of economical welfare have resulted in more optimistic future prospects of population in medium-term perspective, and the disastrous ideas and social pessimism are left in the past.

It is possible to expect, that the high level of economical optimism will favor

the economic growth of the country.

Presently, Putin remains a national leader who trusts the majority of Russian s.

One got such an impression after the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC) has published the results of the opinion survey about the so-called «Putin’s plan»

.

The main question was raised in wait for scheduled elections for the State Duma and after the sensational decision of the president to chair the party “United Russia”: do electors agree that the political course of Putin proceed ?

What is the essence of this plan

? 1 600 people in 153 settlements, in 46 regions, territories and republics of Russia were asked for report drawing.

Let’s start with, that about 60% asked know about existence of some plan. 15% of them consider that its essence foremost is in welfare gain of people, in strengthening of social development; 11% of respondents is sure that it goes only about economy development; 9% think that the president intends to enhance prestige of Russia in future, and 7% suppose that all strength goes to the revival of Russia.

Notably, that 40% percent asked from a general number don’t have a slightest idea at all about an existence of some presidential plan of governing the country.

80% of Russian citizens are sure of expediency of such strategic planning, while the number of its opponents doesn’t exceed 4%. Thus, 10% of Russians suppose, that “the country already develops according to this plan, without any reservations”.

There are also 2% of Russians treating it quite negatively. An opinion, that the country develops according to this plan, among respondents approving activity of Putin as the president of Russia, is more widespread, than among those, who disapprove his work: 73% against 10%. Though in the group of dissaproving prevails similar opinion: 53% against 29%.

General manager of the ARPORC, Valerij Fedorov, cited some data by which about half of

the Russians are interested in politics.

It is a few less than 5–10 years ago, i.e. politics gradually leaves the priorities’ list of Russians. People have more time for everyday life: education, career, family.

In Fedorov’s opinion, it indicates that the political system has stabilized.

In opinion of 42% asked, Putin has had an exact plan, we all now live to, from the very beginning of his presidential activity.

Approximately as much respondents, 40%, think that Putin didn’t have any strategy before, he acted under circumstances.

The plan has been formed gradually, and now the politics of Russia is built according to it. Only 7% asked Russians suppose that Putin doesn’t and didn’t have any plan, all his actions are a set of spontaneous decisions, not combined by a general intention and strategy.

It is noteworthy that the female half of asked, making 45% from a general number, considers that Putin has initially thought all over very exactly and his actions are consistently planned out.

39% of asked male is sure in the opposite. In other words, such an answer was motivated solely by male spirit.

The overwhelming majority of Russians (82%) which is informed about the “Putin’s plan” consider that Russia needs a general state strategy and plan of actions such as “Putin’s plan”, for example. Only 4% is sure that our country doesn’t require any plan at all to govern it effectively.

Less than 1% of them is among the supporters

of the party “United Russia”, by 13–14% electors of LDPR and “Just Russia” and most – 20% – in the electorate of CPRF (communist party).

The majority of respondents considering themselves the supporters of “Putin’s plan” is sure that it is the author who should realize this plan. There is 37% of such staunch supporters.

“The government of Russian Federation should be engaged in this”, considers 30% asked. 19% suppose that soon comes new president to power who will start to realize the intentions of the previous president with enthusiasm, 7% think that comes “United Russia”. Almost the same stake of asked – 10% – is among the supporters of this party; this idea doesn’t impress the electors of CPRF, LDPR and “Just Russia”.

For electorates of CPRF and LDPR the opinion that plan realization is a prerogative of Russian Federation government is more characteristic.

So consider about 40% asked. For the electors of “United Russia” and “Just Russia”, about 44%, the perspective of plan realization by Putin is in no doubt. Though not in the president’s role.

Most Russians, remembering dim years and unclear elections, are sure that the State Duma is in principle useless. But as soon as Putin headed the list of “United Russia”, public opinion changed.

Magnitude of presidential power was opened before Russians anew.

Over the years of work on the president post Putin has made radical changes in the political system

of Russia. Now both the real political power concentrates in the party system, and the government turns into the real powerful institute.

“We indeed have the real political system”, experts say.

Majority of Russians treat such phenomenon as “Putin’s plan” favorably. Moreover the research of the ARPORC doesn’t confirm the opinion that citizens disbelieve the elections’ objectivity. The possibility of stealing of voting results is one of the last and the least popular reasons of citizens’ mistrust of elective institute, about which they recalled at survey. Thus central election commission of the Russian Federation is trusted by about 2/3 of respondents.

The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC) presents information about what the Russians

think about modern countryside and agriculture

in the whole.
Most respondents (65%) see the countryside as not only a place of abode of people but also as a source of spirituality of the nation and its singularity. And this spiritualizing of the countryside is more typical of townspeople than for villagers

(66% and 62%). One third of the Russians

(32%) considers the country to be the ordinary place of abode as cities and settlements.

According to 88% of polled, the countryside supported the country for many years, and now it needs help to solve its problems, to be revived.

It is high time “to repay debts”. This point of view is supported by villagers as well as by townspeople (88% and 90%). The opposite thesis that the countryside is able to cope with problems itself and there is no need in the additional programs on its revival is approved only by 9% polled.

The state should limit the import of agricultural product, to support the domestic producer of these products is supposed by 68% of the Russians.

Among townspeople this strategy is supported by 66% of respondents, among villagers there it got support of even greater part of polled – 71%. Supporters of equal status for competition of domestic and foreign producers, considering that it will be the stimulus for development of agriculture, are 26% of the Russians. This liberal idea is approved by 28% of townspeople and the minority stake of peasants – 22%.
As party which defends the interests of peasants – Agrarian, – the fourth part of the Russians (26%) supposes that it protects all who are related to agriculture. More rarely it is defined as a party of all villagers (20%). In opinion of 4% polled, Agrarian Party of Russia works on behalf of authorities and officials, and 6% think that party concerns itself only with its own needs. The half of the Russians (49%) finds difficulty in replying whose positions are protected by the party. From the point of townspeople, in the first place APR is the party of agricultural labor; in opinion of peasants it is rather the party of villagers. Among the townspeople there are 27% of polled who support the first point of view, 20% support the second, among villagers 14% and 20% respectively.

The All-Russian poll ARPORC was carried out on July, 28-29, 2007.

1600 persons in 153 settlements in 46 regions, krais (administrative district in Russia) and republics of Russia were polled.

Statistical error does not exceed 3,4%.