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RESULTS OF THE NATION OPINION POLL CONDUCTED ON SEPTEMBER 2-12, 2011

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

 

1. Do you think the Belarusian economy is experiencing a crisis?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

87.6

No

8.0

DA/NA

4.4

2. Who is responsible for the current crisis in Belarus? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

President is responsible

61.2

Government is responsible

41.3

The USA is responsible

16.3

Europe is responsible

12.0

Parliament is responsible

11.9

People are responsible

10.0

Russia is responsible

7.3

Opposition is responsible

5.0

DA

13.4

3. Do you think A. Lukashenko’s rating (i.e. readiness of the country’s population to vote for him at the next elections) has increased or decreased during the time which has passed after the presidential elections?

Variant of answer

%

It has decreased

73.0

It has remained the same

18.6

It has increased

4.3

DA/NA

4.1

4. Some people think that after A. Lukashenko’s resignation of president office life in Belarus will improve; others, on the contrary, think it will become worse. And what do you think?

Variant of answer

%

Life will improve

35.2

Life will remain the same

26.9

Life will become worse

23.8

DA/NA

14.1

5. What direction is political life of Belarus developing in now?

Variant of answer

%

Development of democracy

11.4

Restoration of the former Soviet order

17.6

Establishment of authoritarianism and dictatorship

33.7

Growth of chaos, anarchy, threat of a coup d’etat

23.3

DA/NA

14.0

6. Not long ago Chairman of the National Assembly Council of the Republic A. Rubinov voiced an opinion that the Republican public association “Belaya Rus” supported by the Belarusian authorities might be transformed into a political party. If such a party comes into existence, are you ready to join it?

Variant of answer

%

No

82.6

Yes

4.2

DA/NA

13.2

7. Some politicians suggested holding a “National gathering” – a protest action demanding a check to prices, securing of adequate salaries and pensions, a possibility of currency exchange, non-admission of unemployment, suspension of selling of enterprises, safeguards of independent mass media work and disclosure of the presidential fund. What is your attitude to this initiative?

Variant of answer

%

I disapprove of it

13.0

I treat it with indifference

21.3

I approve of it, but will not participate in it

47.4

I approve of it, and I will participate in the initiative

14.1

DA/NA

4.2

8. Not long ago Peter Prokopovich stood down from his post of Chairman of the National Bank. How do you assess the extent of his guilt in the currency crisis which has happened in Belarus this year?

Variant of answer

%

He is the main person responsible for the crisis

7.5

He is guilty, but a considerable part of the guilt rests with other authorities’ representatives

40.1

He is guilty, however external circumstances are guiltier than he is

26.3

He is not guilty

16.0

DA/NA

10.1

9. In June and July in many towns of Belarus regular actions against the authorities’ policy whose participants expressed their protest by silence and applause took place within the framework of the campaign “Revolution through social networking websites”. Have you heard about such actions?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

70.8

No

27.0

DA/NA

2.2

10. What is your attitude to these actions?

Variant of answer

%

I approve of them

37.4

I treat them with indifference

33.6

I disapprove of them

19.2

DA/NA

9.8

11. Not long ago the case on explosion in Minsk underground on April 11, 2011 was brought to trial. According to the investigators, the crime was committed by a maverick terrorist and his accomplice who had not been supported by anyone. Do you believe this version?

Variant of answer

%

Yes, I do

21.2

No, I do not. The crime was committed by them, however they had instigators

32.4

No, I do not. The crime was committed by other people

36.7

DA/NA

9.7

12. Do you personally feel under the protection of the law?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

38.5

No

53.4

DA/NA

8.1

13. In connection with the crisis some politicians and experts have begun talking again about a possibility of introducing the Russian ruble on the territory of Belarus in order to strengthen Belarusian economy. Should the Russian ruble be introduced in Belarus, in your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

No

50.0

Yes

38.1

DA/NA

11.9

14. New higher import tariffs on automobiles brought in from western countries have come into effect in Belarus since July 1. The measure has been taken in compliance with the conditions of the Customs Union which Belarus is a member of together with Russia and Kazakhstan. How do you assess this measure?

Variant of answer

%

It is a good measure

17.6

It is a bad measure; however, its harm is exceeded by other advantages of the Customs Union

37.8

It is a bad measure; Belarus should not be a member of the Customs Union

22.7

DA/NA

21.9

15. Some time ago prime minister of Russia V. Putin said that real integration of Russia and Belarus was “possible, was rather desirable and fully depended on the Belarusian people” and that “supporters of this idea should struggle for its implementation”. What opinion concerning these statements do you agree with?

Variant of answer

%

I am for Belarus and Russia integrating into one state, and I am going to struggle for it

6.7

I am for Belarus and Russia integrating into one state, but I am not going to struggle for it

34.0

I am against of Belarus and Russia integrating into one state, but I am not going to struggle against it

38.2

I am against of Belarus and Russia integrating into one state, and I am going to struggle against it

11.6

DA/NA

9.5