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RESULTS OF THE NATION OPINION POLL CONDUCTED ON MARCH 5-15, 2009

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

 

1. Was the devaluation of January, 2nd unexpected for you?

Variant of answer

%

It was completely unexpected

55.2

I did not rule out that it might happen

30.9

I was sure that it would happen

12.5

NA

1.4

2. What do you think of the authorities’ statement made the day before, that there would be no devaluation?

Variant of answer

%

The authorities deceived people not saying anything about the impending devaluation

64.2

The authorities did not have to say anything about the devaluation so that the ruble downfall did not become worse

34.0

NA

1.8

3. Has the devaluation of the Belarusian ruble affected your financial position?

Variant of answer

%

It has affected it considerably

45.5

It has affected it to a little degree

35.4

It has not affected it

13.8

DA/NA

5.3

4. Is in your opinion one more sharp devaluation of the Belarusian ruble possible before the end of 2009?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

55.5

No

25.3

DA/NA

19.2

5. Has your trust in the authorities changed after the devaluation of January, 2nd?

Variant of answer

%

I have begun to trust the authorities more

1.8

My trust has not changed

53.6

I have begun to trust the authorities less

42.4

NA

2.2

6. To what extent are you satisfied with the present-day conditions of life in Belarus?

Variant of answer

%

I am completely satisfied

4.0

I am more likely satisfied than not

31.1

I am more likely unsatisfied

43.6

I am completely unsatisfied

16.9

DA/NA

4.4

7. Who, in your opinion, is responsible for the worsening of the economic situation in the country in the first place? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

The government

49.7

The president

49.6

The West

33.0

Local authorities

21.7

Heads of state enterprises, collective farms

12.5

Russia

12.3

Business owners

9.4

Mafia

7.8

Mass media (newspapers, radio, television)

1.5

Other

2.3

DA

7.5

8. The authorities have announced forthcoming liberalization of the economy. What do you think it is connected with?

Variant of answer

%

With the world financial and economic crisis

42.6

With the pressure of the West on the Belarusian leadership

28.6

It is a natural development stage of the Belarusian economy

11.3

DA/NA

17.5

9. If you believe that the economic crisis has begun in Belarus, then what opinion concerning it, do you agree with?

Variant of answer

%

Serious shocks are expecting our country’s economy

51.7

It is a temporary phenomenon which does not affect the fundamentals of our economy and the situation is going to stabilize soon

26.2

I have not heard anything about the crisis

0.7

DA/NA

21.4

10. If you believe that the economic crisis has begun in Belarus, then to what extent can it be considered the consequence of the country’s leadership economic policy of the last years?

Variant of answer

%

Virtually in full measure

17.5

To a considerable extent

34.6

To a slight extent

16.5

It is impossible to say that it is the reason for the economic crisis

9.4

DA/NA

22.0

11. If one speaks about you and members of your family living together with you, do you expect wage payment delays in the near future?

Variant of answer

%

It is already taking place

23.0

It may happen within the next few weeks

11.9

If nothing changes it may happen within the next few months

20.6

I think, it is not going to happen in the near future

27.0

There are no employed in my family

13.4

DA/NA

4.1

12. If one speaks about you and members of your family living together with you, do you expect in the near future discharge from the enterprise (the organization) where you (members of your family) work?

Variant of answer

%

It is already taking place

9.9

It may happen within the next few weeks

9.6

If nothing changes it may happen within the next few months

22.9

I think, it is not going to happen in the near future

37.6

There are no employed in my family

14.2

DA/NA

5.8

13. If one speaks about you and members of your family living together with you, do you expect in the near future reduction of earnings?

Variant of answer

%

It is already taking place

38.6

It may happen within the next few weeks

10.2

If nothing changes it may happen within the next few months

17.2

I think, it is not going to happen in the near future

15.3

There are no employed in my family

14.3

DA/NA

4.4

14. Are fundamental changes possible in home and foreign policy of Belarus within the next five years, in your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

Quite possible

39.9

Unlikely

37.9

Impossible

12.9

DA/NA

9.3

15. If you think that such changes are possible, who in your opinion is going to trigger them? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

Belarusian authorities

32.1

The West

22.1

The Belarusian people

20.3

The Belarusian opposition

10.5

Russia

9.8

DA/NA

14.7

16. Would you like such changes to happen?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

46.6

No

19.4

It makes no difference to me

18.5

DA/NA

15.5

17. A Public advisory council attached to the presidential Administration has been established, and some representatives of the opposition are included in it. Have you heard about it?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

25.8

No

73.4

NA

0.8

18. What are the reasons for establishing the Public advisory council, in your opinion? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

In order to receive another credit from the International Monetary Fund

28.7

Under the conditions of the crisis a public dialogue to elaborate effective anti-crisis decisions is necessary

27.0

In order to reduce social tension in the country

21.9

Other

1.0

DA

29.9

19. What is more important: improvement of Belarus economic position or independence of the country?

Variant of answer

%

Improvement of Belarus economic position

69.4

Independence of the country

21.6

DA/NA

9.0

20. What, in your opinion, can quite high support of A. Lukashenko in the Belarusian society be accounted by? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

There is simply no one else who would be better

44.2

By the hope that he will manage to make the life better in future

31.9

By his personal and professional qualities

15.1

By his real progress and achievements

13.1

DA

11.4

21. How do you assess the political climate in Belarus as a whole?

Variant of answer

%

Safe

7.2

Quiet

43.8

Tense

37.6

Critical, volatile

5.4

DA/NA

6.0

22. Which opinion do you agree with?

Variant of answer

%

Belarus needs stability

46.3

Belarus needs changes

46.2

DA/NA

7.5

23. Does the circle of president A. Lukashenko consist now of able and enterprising specialists or of “dull”, passive and insufficiently qualified ones?

Variant of answer

%

Of “dull”, passive and insufficiently qualified ones

37.5

Of able and enterprising ones

32.7

DA/NA

29.8

24. Is the activity of the “Top-down command structure” created by president A. Lukashenko more useful or more harmful for the country, in your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

More useful

36.3

More harmful

32.1

DA/NA

31.6

25. What direction is Belarus political life developing in now?

Variant of answer

%

Formation of authoritarianism and dictatorship

29.4

Developing of democracy

24.7

Restoration of the former Soviet order

19.9

Chaos increasing, anarchy and threat of the coup d’etat

7.3

DA/NA

18.7

26. How would you assess the people who are in power now?

Variant of answer

%

These are the people who are preoccupied only with their material well-being and career

43.5

These are honest, but weak people who are not able to handle the power and secure the order and consistent political line

12.7

These are honest, but inconversant people who do not know how to help the country out of the economic crisis

11.9

It is a good team of politicians leading the country in the right direction

17.3

DA/NA

14.6

27. Do you feel protected from the possible arbitrariness on the part of the authorities, militia, the State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate, the tax inspectorate, courts and other state bodies?

Variant of answer

%

Definitely, yes

11.3

More likely, yes

26.2

More likely, no

37.9

Definitely, no

19.0

DA/NA

5.6

28. Some people consider themselves supporters of the present authorities, others–their opponents. Which group would you attribute yourself to?

Variant of answer

%

I consider myself a supporter of the present authorities

32.8

I consider myself an opponent of the present authorities

21.6

I did not think about it and it makes no difference to me

38.7

DA/NA

6.9

29. In your opinion, the president and the government now have to…

Variant of answer

%

Give people freedom and only watch that they do not break laws

55.0

Strictly control political and economic life in the country

34.3

DA/NA

10.7

30. Do you perceive yourself as a European, do you feel your belonging to the culture and history of the European society?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

37.1

No

52.8

DA/NA

10.1

31. Since autumn of 2008 a certain improvement of relations between the Belarusian authorities and the European Union has been observed: high-level meetings have become more frequent, visa sanctions of the EU against the top officials have been suspended, Belarus was offered to join the collaboration program with the EU–Eastern partnership. Different opinions are being expressed concerning the change. Which of them do you agree with to the greatest extent? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

The European Union has acted rightly, it should respect the choice of the Belarusian people and collaborate with the authorities which enjoy people’s support

37.9

The European Union has acted rightly, because whatever the authorities of Belarus are–the most important thing is to diminish dependence of Belarus on Russia

17.6

The European Union has betrayed its principles meeting the Belarusian authorities halfway

11.8

The European Union has acted wrongly, as it is trying to tear Belarus away from Russia

10.9

DA

24.6

32. Should Belarus, following Russia, recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Osetia, in your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

Yes, their independence should be recognized

44.6

No, their independence should not be recognized

7.7

It makes no difference to me

37.1

DA/NA

10.6

33. Recently Russia and Belarus have concluded an agreement on creating a common system of anti-aircraft defense of the Union state of Russia and Belarus. Some people approve of this agreement thinking that it will strengthen the defense capacity of Belarus and will help to get credits from Russia, others oppose it, considering it to be “trade of Belarus independence”. And what is your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

I support this agreement

48.6

I do not support this agreement

20.5

It makes no difference to me

30.2

NA

0.7

34. Not long ago negotiations between A. Lukashenko and former NATO Secretary General, present EU High Representative Javier Solana took place in Minsk for the first time. Some people support these negotiations believing that they develop collaboration of Belarus with the European Union, others oppose them thinking that they worsen our relations with Russia. And what is your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

I support these negotiations

47.4

I do not support these negotiations

12.4

It makes no difference to me

39.2

NA

1.0