26.04.09

Forecasts from Russia's leading polling agencies at the end of the crisis year's first quarter indicate that Russian citizens have grown used to the crisis, but won't be able to stand it longer than a year.

According to the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), 51% of respondents in a March poll described the situation in Russia as very bad. By mid-April, the proportion of pessimists dropped by 10% to 41%. Meanwhile, there was a 10% rise (from 29% to 39%) in the proportion of respondents who describe the situation as normal. However, assessments of personal circumstances were almost unchanged: in March (67%) and April (66%) alike, most respondents said that life is very hard, but can tolerate the situation for the time being. Eighteen percent of respondents described their circumstances as good, saying they are able to overcome any problems that arise. There was a slight rise, from 12% to 14%, in the proportion of respondents who say they can't cope any longer (error margin 3.4%). Expectations also remained unchanged: 20% of respondents (in March and April) expect things to get worse, 27% are hoping for the best, and 43% in April (41% in March) expect things to stay the same.

VTsIOM General Director Valery Fedorov says that the number of pessimists has grown because people are "getting used to the crisis." They're growing accustomed to it because "there hasn't been a drastic surge in crime, or large-scale impoverishment, or riots by migrant workers, or any other horrors" predicted at the start of the year. Moreover, says Fedorov, the authorities have started discussing their anti-crisis measures publicly.

Translated by InterContact

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Source: Kommersant