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RESULTS OF THE NATION OPINION POLL CONDUCTED ON SEPTEMBER 3-13, 2007

(1514 persons interviewed, margin of error does not exceed 0.03)

 

1. What would you choose?

Variant of answer

%

Free of charge social services (education, health protection, etc.) with low quality of service and with no choice

47.5

A possibility to choose social services of proper quality in compliance with my means (education, health protection, etc.)

52.1

NA

0.4

2. In your opinion, what form of ownership is the most effective one?

Variant of answer

%

Private

51.9

State

35.2

Other

4.6

DA/NA

8.3

3. What enterprise would you like to work at?

Variant of answer

%

At a state one

47.9

At a private one

39.3

Other

4.5

DA/NA

8.3

4. Where do you buy foodstuff most often?

Variant of answer

%

In state-owned stores

44.5

At markets

30.1

In private stores/kiosks

24.0

I buy it privately

1.1

NA

0.3

5. Where do you buy clothes, footwear, and other goods most often?

Variant of answer

%

At markets

54.9

In private stores/kiosks

21.7

In state-owned stores

21.0

I buy it privately

1.9

NA

0.5

6. Which manufacturers’ goods do you prefer to buy?

Variant of answer

%

Foreign firms

41.9

Belarusian enterprises

37.9

Enterprises of the former USSR republics

13.3

DA/NA

6.9

7. Do you condemn people who evade paying taxes?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

35.8

Rather yes, than no

25.1

Rather no, than yes

20.0

No

18.9

NA

0.2

8. Do you own any immovable property or means of production (land, a car, a tractor, sales equipment, other types of technical equipment), which you use to earn money?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

27.1

No

72.5

NA

0.4

9. In May, 2007 Belarusian authorities decided to shorten benefits for the population. Some people say it is a correct decision; our economy cannot stand such a great amount of benefit recipients. Others consider that it is necessary to economize on other things, not on benefits. Which of the two opinions do you support?

Variant of answer

%

It is necessary to shorten benefits

33.5

Benefits must not be shortened

65.4

NA

1.1

10. In your opinion, what is more important: improvement of Belarusian economy, or independence of the country?

Variant of answer

%

Improvement of economy

59.4

Independence of the country

32.2

DA/NA

8.4

11. In your opinion, is the state of affairs in the country developing in general in the right or in the wrong direction?

Variant of answer

%

In the right direction

50.2

In the wrong direction

34.2

DA/NA

15.6

12. How would you estimate using a five-point scale the work of:

Variant of answer

%

Average grade

1

2

3

4

5

NA

President of Belarus

11.5

15.0

22.1

24.0

26.5

0.9

3.39

Government of the country

13.1

17.5

27.5

25.1

15.8

1.0

3.13

Parliament of the country

15.7

17.9

28.9

22.6

13.8

1.1

3.01

Local authorities

16.5

23.8

28.8

19.7

10.0

1.2

2.83

Opposition

25.7

27.3

25.0

12.8

7.5

1.7

2.48

13. Some people think that during A.Lukashenko’s government of the country, power and arbitrariness of state officials in Belarus have decreased; others, on the contrary, think they have increased. And what do you think?

Variant of answer

%

During these years power and arbitrariness of state officials have decreased

45.7

During these years power and arbitrariness of state officials have increased

39.0

DA/NA

15.3

14. If the authorities do not meet the demands of people, in what way is it necessary to change them in your opinion? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

Through next elections

56.9

Through a referendum on distrust for the current authorities and pre-term elections

31.0

In any way, which might contribute to the achievement of the goal

21.2

Addressing the authorities with a demand of their resignation

12.4

With the help of mass nonviolent actions (meetings, mass demonstrations, marches)

6.8

Through mass strikes

6.4

Through other means

2.2

15. Some people consider themselves supporters of the current authorities, others-their opponents. Which group would you ascribe yourself to?

Variant of answer

%

I consider myself a supporter of the current authorities

42.0

I consider myself an opponent of the current authorities

19.9

I did not think about it, and I do not care

31.5

DA/NA

6.6

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

Variant of answer

%

It has increased

25.2

It has decreased

30.9

It has remained the same

38.3

DA/NA

5.6

17. Belarusian authorities affirm that some oppositional organizations and individual leaders get financial support from abroad. What do you think about it?

Variant of answer

%

I think, it is quite alright

37.8

I think, it is intolerable

48.7

DA/NA

13.5

18. In July A. Lukashenko discharged heads of the KGB- chairman of the committee S. Sucharenko and his first assistant V. Dementej. What is the reason of their resignation, in your opinion?

Variant of answer

%

Corruption in the KGB

29.2

Disloyalty of the former governing body of the KGB towards president

16.0

Insufficient struggle of the KGB with opposition

12.7

KGB conflicts with other coercive structures

10.0

DA/NA

32.1

19. Do you agree that a strong leader can give more to the country today, than good laws?

Variant of answer

%

I agree

54.6

I do not agree

37.1

DA/NA

8.3

20. Meetings of a new movement “Belaya Rus”, which is being established, and which supports president A. Lukashenko’s policy, were conducted in different towns of Belarus this summer. If such a movement is established would you like to enroll in it?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

13.3

No

74.7

DA/NA

12.0

21. What is your attitude to the idea of A. Lukashenko’s son becoming his successor on the post of president of Belarus in some time?

Variant of answer

%

Positive

15.6

Negative

67.9

DA/NA

16.5

22. On August, 1, Russian “Gazprom” announced a possible cutting down of gas delivery to Belarus, as a result of non-payment for the previous delivery. Have you heard about this announcement?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

79.9

No

19.9

NA

0.2

23. In your opinion, how did Belarus-Russian conflicts affect the confidence of Belarusian people in president A. Lukashenko?

Variant of answer

%

Confidence increased

14.7

Confidence decreased

37.8

Confidence remained at the same level

42.0

DA/NA

5.5

24. Do you think that an economic crisis begins in Belarus?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

27.0

No

59.4

DA/NA

13.6

25. If actions against worsening of the economic position will be conducted in your city (district), are you ready to take part in them?

Variant of answer

%

Yes

17.4

No

72.7

DA/NA

9.9

26. If a referendum on Belarus entry into the EU took place tomorrow, how would you vote?

Variant of answer

%

For

29.9

Against

46.7

I would not vote

12.5

DA/NA

10.9

27. This autumn leaders of Belarusian opposition are planning to organize mass actions – “Social March” against cancellation of benefits for the population and “European March” for Belarus entry into the EU. What is your attitude to these initiatives?

Variant of answer

%

Support both initiatives

22.2

Support “Social March”

22.3

Support “European March”

6.5

Support neither initiative

36.2

DA/NA

12.8

28. In June 2007 the EU deprived Belarus of its privileges in trade, having accused Belarusian authorities of violating the rights of trade unions. How do you estimate this decision?

Variant of answer

%

It is a right decision

22.7

It is a wrong decision

56.6

DA/NA

20.7

29. If a referendum on Belarus and Russia joining up was conducted today, how would you vote?

Variant of answer

%

For joining up

33.8

Against joining up

47.4

Would not vote

11.0

DA/NA

7.8

30. To what extent would you agree with the statement: “It would be better for Belarus, if foreigners stopped imposing their ideas on us”?

Variant of answer

%

I would fully agree

33.4

I would more likely agree

30.6

I would more likely disagree

20.3

I would completely disagree

6.4

DA/NA

9.3