MOSCOW, December 4 (Itar-Tass) — The number of Russians who believe corruption is unbeatable has reduced over the past few years, although it still remains significant, a poll conducted by the national public opinion studies center VTsIOM has found.
The survey was conducted on November 24-25. The pollster questioned an audience of 1,600 men and women of age. The statistical error margin did not exceed 3.4 percent.
VTsIOIM says the results of the struggle against corruption are becoming ever more obvious to society. Whereas in 2007 they were visible to 36 percent, now the rate is up to 45 percent. Over the past eight years there has been a two-fold increase, from 1 percent to 31 percent in the number of Russians who think that Vladimir Putin has achieved the greatest success in that field.
In the meantime, those who believe that corruption can be eliminated in principle has been down from 64 percent to 50 percent.
In 2004-2012 the number of respondents saying that corruption is beatable went up from 30 percent to 44 percent, but this takes the political will and resolute action by the authorities and the whole of society.
“Nearly a third of the polled – 31 percent – believe that Putin is the one who initiates the struggle against corruption, and a tiny 9 percent say this is a merit of human rights organizations and other associations,” says blogger and journalist Pavel Danilin.
In his opinion, “the struggle against corruption was the sole slogan of the non-systemic opposition in Bolotnaya Square that had some appeal to the masses.” However, Danilin said that “the people consider Putin’s current presidency as struggle against corruption, and young people see his achievements.” In the meantime, the Opposition views youth as its backers.
“The people have been able to feel the president’s efforts in the struggle against corruption, not a majority, of course, but a significant group, one-third,” said Public Chamber member Iosif Diskin. “The Opposition has always built its rhetoric on the postulate the supreme authorities always protect loyal corruptioneers and are not interested in fighting this ill in earnest. As the latest events have shown, there are no untouchables,” he said.
Diskin urged the non-systemic opposition “to join the actors assisting the struggle against corruption,” in particular, public chambers in the regions and public councils that will be formed without the participation of executive authorities.
“The Opposition will have to make up its mind what is more important to it - rhetoric or the future of the country,” he said. “If the future of the country is more important, it should join in – public control is an important instrument in the struggle against corruption.”