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RESULTS OF THE NATION OPINION POLL CONDUCTED ON JUNE 2-12, 2012

(1.498 persons interviewed, margin of error does not exceed 0.03)

1. What statement do you agree with?

Variant of answer

%

Belarus needs changes

77.3

Belarus doesn’t need changes

15.1

DA/NA

7.6

2. How would you assess your relationships with the authorities?

Variant of answer

%

I live relying only on myself and avoid contacts with the authorities

63.3

My life fully depends on the authorities

22.5

Contacting with the authorities I draw what I need out of them

7.6

DA/NA

6.6

3. Recently in the opposition circles there has been put forward a proposal on the creation of the government-in-exile, because, according to the opinion of the supporters of this idea, the acting authorities do not represent the Belarusian nation and are unlawful. What do you think about this idea?

Variant of answer

%

We must struggle for power inside Belarus and not create a government abroad

41.8

The acting Belarusian authorities are lawful and legitimate and no governments-in-exile could represent any nation

28.3

The government-in-exile should be created

9.4

A Belarusian government-in-exile already exists, it is the BNR Rada.

5.2

DA/NA

15.3

4. On January 7 2010 a political activist Sergei Kovalenko hung the white-red-white flag on the New-Year’s Tree in the center of Vitebsk, for which act he was given a three year suspended sentence. At the end of 2011 he was arrested on the charge of the violation of the service regime and sentenced to 2 years and one month of colony. Being in prison he went on hunger strike in protest, which was the reason for his taking to a psycho hospital. As regards S. Kovalenko, there exist different points of view. Which one do you agree with?

Variant of answer

%

I don’t care about him

32.3

He is a person suffering for his beliefs

31.5

He is insane

12.4

He is a joker, clown

9.6

He is a national hero

4.9

DA/NA

9.3

5. In March Dmitry Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalev the convicts with regard to the case of the act of terrorism in the Minsk Metro were executed. The president did not exercise his right of pardon, i.e. relief from punishment or commutation to a less severe sentence, for either of them. What do you think about this decision?

Variant of answer

%

The decision is right, both should have been executed

37.8

Both should have been pardoned

34.4

Konovalov should have been executed, and Kovalev should have been pardoned

7.0

DA/NA

20.8

6. Will you take part in the voting at Parliamentary Election 2012?

Variant of answer

%

Yes, I will

50.7

No, I won’t

19.4

I haven’t decided yet

29.3

NA

0.6

7. What do you think, whether the pending elections are free and fair?

Variant of answer

%

No

39.6

Yes

36.8

DA/NA

23.6

8. What candidate would you prefer to vote for?

Variant of answer

%

For A. Lukashenko’s opponent

28.2

For A. Lukashenko’s supporter

27.6

For another candidate

27.4

DA/NA

16.8

9. Does the activity of the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus influence your life and the lives of your relatives and friends?

Variant of answer

%

Yes, it does

44.5

No, it doesn’t

40.3

DA/NA

15.2

10. In your opinion, will the House of Representatives to be elected at the pending elections represent the interests of the community?

Variant of answer

%

I think, no

46.2

I think, yes

38.4

DA/NA

15.4

11. What do you think, whether the election results depend on your vote?

Variant of answer

%

No, they don’t depend

54.5

Yes, they depend

36.7

DA/NA

8.8

12. What is your opinion, whether a real contest among the candidates will take place at the pending elections or only an imitation of this contest, and the distribution of seats in the House of Representatives will be pre-determined by the authorities?

Variant of answer

%

There will be only an imitation of the contest, and the seat distribution will be pre-determined by the authorities

46.9

A real contest will take place

39.1

DA/NA

14.0

13. What do you think, whether the candidates have real programs for the improvement of life in the country?

Variant of answer

Yes, they have

No, they haven’t

DA/NA

Candidates supporting the power

45.8

37.8

16.4

Opposition candidates

37.7

40.1

22.2

14. In your opinion, does independent observation of the election process contribute to increased fairness and objectiveness of the elections?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

63.7

No

27.5

DA/NA

8.8

15. Not only local but also independent and international OSCE observers noted material violation of the election process in the course of Parliamentary Election 2008 and Presidential Election 2010 in Belarus. Have you heard about it?

Variant of answer

%

No

50.1

Yes

49.5

NA

0.4

16. What is your attitude to the ballot boycott of the pending parliamentary election, which some oppositionists call for?

Variant of answer

%

Negative

29.5

Indifferent

28.0

Positive

14.2

I’ve heard nothing about it

28.3

17. Would you like to work/study abroad? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

No, I wouldn’t

46.3

Yes, in Germany

15.1

Yes, in the USA

11.4

Yes, in Russia

8.9

Yes, in Poland

7.8

Yes, in Czech Republic

4.3

Yes, in Lithuania

2.8

Yes, in Ukraine

0.5

Yes, in another country

9.8

Yes, in any country, if only it isn’t Belarus

8.2

18. From January 1, 2012 Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia are in the Common Economic Space. In your opinion, what are the consequences of Belarus joining this interstate structure?

Variant of answer

%

Only positive

14.2

More positive than negative

32.2

More negative than positive

13.9

Only negative

4.1

None

24.6

DA/NA

11.0

19. President of Russia V. Putin has declared creation of a close Eurasian union with participation of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and, possibly, other countries one of his political priorities. What is your attitude to this idea?

Variant of answer

%

Positive

48.7

Indifferent

31.4

Negative

10.7

DA/NA

9.2

20. Do you consider yourself closer to Russians or to Europeans?

Variant of answer

%

To Russians

68.2

To Europeans

31.2

NA

0.6