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

(1521 persons interviewed, margin of error does not exceed 0.03)

 

1. What are the most acute problems that our country and citizens are facing at the moment? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

Rise in prices

84.2

Unemployment

38.3

Impoverishment of the population

34.7

Corruption, bribe-taking

33.4

Criminality

26.9

Violation of the human rights

25.6

Overcoming of the Chernobyl catastrophe consequences

22.3

Absence of order and law

21.3

Recession of production

20.6

Decrease of population

20.1

International isolation of Belarus

14.5

Decline of the national culture

12.8

Threat of the West

12.0

Disunity of the society

8.4

Threat of the loss of Belarusian independence

7.2

2. In what way has your financial position changed for the last three months?

Variant of answer

%

It has improved

10.8

It has not changed

55.3

It has become worse

32.4

DA/NA

1.5

3. In May of 2007 Belarusian authorities decided to reduce benefits for the population. Some people say it was a sound decision, and that our economy will not endure so many benefit recipients. Others consider one should save on something else, not on benefits. Which opinion do you agree with?

Variant of answer

%

Benefits should not be reduced; it is necessary to save on something else

74.2

It is necessary to reduce benefits as our economy will not stand so many benefit recipients

25.0

NA

0.8

4. To what extent does the rise in prices for foodstuff, manufactured goods, accommodation, education, medical and other services tell on your life?

Variant of answer

%

It does not virtually tell on my life, as the rise in prices is outweighed by the income growth

9.3

It is already telling on me and it gives rise to nervousness

41.1

It is seriously telling on my life and causes anxiety

29.0

I am really shocked by the rise in prices

19.9

NA

0.7

5. In your opinion, who is primarily responsible for the rise in prices and the cost of life in general? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

Government

55.0

President A. Lukashenko

46.4

Managers of enterprises and organizations

12.6

Local government bodies

12.1

Russia

11.0

The European Union and the USA

3.9

Other

1.1

DA

5.1

6. If we talk about the life of your family, what do you and members of your family set themselves as an object? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

To survive, even if it is on the most primitive level of existence

13.2

To live not worse than most families in your town, district

48.8

To live better than most families in your town, district

18.5

To live the way an average family lives in Western Europe, the USA

11.9

To live better than an average family in Western Europe, the USA

5.7

DA

2.3

7. In your opinion, does the state of affairs in our country develop in general in the right or in the wrong direction?

Variant of answer

%

In the right direction

41.2

In the wrong direction

39.3

DA/NA

19.5

8. In your opinion, how is socio-economic situation in Belarus going to change in the next few years?

Variant of answer

%

It is going to improve

23.2

It is not going to change

37.6

It is going to become worse

28.5

DA/NA

10.7

9. What opinion do you agree with? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

Those who have money and connections, can escape penalty for a crime

57.7

Those who hold high posts, can escape penalty for a crime

36.2

In our country all citizens are equal in the face of the law, and anyone who breaks it will be punished without fail

22.3

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

Variant of answer

%

Give people freedom and only make sure they obey the law

53.9

Strictly control political and economic life in the country

32.5

DA/NA

13.6

11. Some people consider themselves supporters of the today’s authorities, others –their opponents. Which group would you ascribe yourself to?

Variant of answer

%

I consider myself a supporter of the today’s authorities

37.3

I consider myself an opponent of the today’s authorities

22.0

I have not thought about it and I do not care

31.8

DA/NA

8.9

12. Do you agree or disagree that in the last years the political system of Belarus has been more and more reminding of the political system of the former USSR?

Variant of answer

%

I fully agree

16.0

I more likely agree

31.6

I more likely disagree

26.0

I completely disagree

9.8

DA/NA

16.6

13. As a whole do you like or dislike the idea of returning to the Soviet political system?

Variant of answer

%

I like it very much

6.7

It more likely pleases me

20.1

I rather dislike it

31.9

I utterly dislike it

24.5

DA/NA

16.8

14. Do you know that in October and November the Joint democratic opposition has conducted “The European March” and “The Social March” in Minsk?

Variant of answer

%

I have heard about the conducting of both marches

25.9

I have heard about the conducting of “The European March”

3.2

I have heard about the conducting of “The Social March”

6.9

I have not heard anything about it

63.6

DA/NA

0.4

15. What variant of integration of Belarus and Russia would you personally prefer?

Variant of answer

%

Belarus and Russia should constitute a union of independent states, bound up with close political and economic relations

43.8

Relations of Belarus and Russia should be the same as with other states of the CIS

36.3

Belarus and Russia should become one state with the common president, government, army, flag, currency, etc.

13.1

DA/NA

6.8

16. In your opinion, aggravation of Belarusian-Russian relations in 2007 is…

Variant of answer

%

A natural result of the integration policy conducted in the last years

34.1

No more than an unpleasant episode in the relations of the two states

24.2

There is no aggravation whatsoever

25.6

DA/NA

16.1

17. What is your opinion about the real results of Belarusian foreign policy?

Variant of answer

%

Belarus has good relations with most countries of the world

51.8

Belarus maintains good relations only with countries-social outcasts

19.1

Belarus is in international isolation

17.4

DA/NA

11.7

18. Do you agree with the statement that the European Union fears creation of the Union State of Belarus and Russia as it might lead to reestablishment of the USSR?

Variant of answer

%

I do not agree with this statement

37.7

I agree with this statement

36.7

DA/NA

25.6

19. Recently A. Lukashenko has signed a decree about opening of an official representative office of the European Committee in Belarus. What is your attitude towards it?

Variant of answer

%

It is good

41.2

It is bad

4.5

It makes no difference to me

39.2

DA/NA

15.1

20. If a referendum on the question if Belarus should enter the EU were conducted now in Belarus, what choice would you make?

Variant of answer

%

For

37.1

Against

35.0

I would not take part in voting

16.3

DA/NA

11.6

21. Do you use a computer? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

No

58.5

Yes, at home

28.1

Yes, at work

16.4

Yes, at a cybercaf?

2.1

Yes, in the library

1.1

Yes, in another place

2.7

22. Have you got a VCR or a DVD-player to watch movies? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

I have got neither

33.7

I have got a DVD-player as well as a VCR

24.4

I have got a DVD-player

22.4

I have got a VCR

17.3

23. Do you use the Internet?

Variant of answer

%

Yes, daily

7.0

Yes, several times a week

8.7

Yes, several times a month

6.4

Yes, several times a year

3.1

No

69.1

I do not know what it is

5.0

NA

0.7

24. How do you assess the condition of mass media in Belarus?

Variant of answer

%

Mass media in Belarus are dependent

46.1

Mass media in Belarus are independent

16.3

Some mass media are independent in Belarus, others are dependent

24.3

DA/NA

13.3

25. If you consider that mass media in Belarus are dependent, than whom do they depend on? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

On the president

48.0

On other government agencies

29.8

On international organizations and foreign capital

13.6

On political parties and public associations

13.0

On the demand of the audience

11.9

On journalists’ own corporative interests

9.8

On Belarusian businessmen

1.6

DA

9.8

26. In your opinion, should control of mass media exist? (more than one answer is possible)

Variant of answer

%

Yes, control with the help of mass information legislation is necessary

36.2

Yes, control on the part of the society (public committees, councils, etc.) is necessary

19.2

Yes, control on the part of government bodies is necessary

19.2

Control of mass media is not necessary

23.8

DA

8.2

27. Did you happen to go into the results of independent studies of the public opinion in Belarus (through mass media, leaflets, contacts with other people, etc.) during the last year?

Variant of answer

%

No

69.9

Yes

29.4

NA

0.7

28. Can figures and analysis of independent research centers be trusted?

Variant of answer

%

Yes, they can, as they give citizens unbiased information about processes in political life, economy and society

40.8

No, they cannot, as they deliberately give citizens wry information for the sake of those who pay for the research

20.4

I have not heard anything about such centers

22.0

DA/NA

16.8

29. Do you work at a private or at a state enterprise?

Variant of answer

%

At a state one

39.5

At a private one

21.2

I do not work

38.6

NA

0.7

30. Have you ever been imprisoned including imprisonment for administrative violation?

Variant of answer

%

No, I have not

89.7

Yes, I have, several times

2.6

Yes, I have, one time

6.8

NA

0.9