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Sociologists report higher approval rating of United Russia

The number of party opponents was larger than the number of party supporters in March (50% against 40%)

MOSCOW. June 8 (Itar-Tass) – The approval rating of United Russia has grown in the past three months. Besides, the number of party supporters is growing, the Russian Public Opinion Study (VTsIOM) said.

The number of party opponents was larger than the number of party supporters in March (50% against 40%). The gap is smaller now (48% to 42%). The center explained the trend with the shirking percentage of persons disappointed with the party (from 14% to 10%) and the appearance of new supporters (their number grew from 5% to 7%). The latter indicator grew for the first time in the entire history of party monitoring, the center said. More people admit their long-standing affection for United Russia. The confession was made by 36% of the respondents three months ago; it is 38% now.

United Russia says the trend is only natural. “The attitude of citizens shows that our party is capable of developing under the new political conditions, it is open and ready for the dialog with the public,” United Russia General Council Deputy Secretary Sergei Zheleznyak said.

He said that the Public Opinion Foundation’s poll had similar results. The Foundation reported that 48% of Russians had confidence in the ruling party, and the party confidence rating grew by 4% over the past week.

The VTsIOM said that Russians remembered the May congress of United Russia for the election of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as the party chairman. Fifty-six percent of the respondents had a positive attitude to that election. Thirty-seven percent told the VTsIOM that the amendments to the party charter approved at the congress would make United Russia stronger.

“The party congress approved amendments, which would seriously develop party democracy,” Zheleznyak said. “We had a multi-candidate election of the General Council secretary, renovated the General Council and added representatives of United Russia local organizations to it. By the proposal of Dmitry Medvedev, no less than 20% of General Council members must be representatives of local party organizations, and the General Council must be rotated annually,” he said.

“These changes gain support of the public and lead to the growing confidence rating of the party. This attitude implies big responsibility. I am confident that we will justify confidence of Russians in the future election campaigns,” Zheleznyak said.

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