IISEPS — Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Politycal Studies

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, 2^nd 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, 2^nd?

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