Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS) has represented the results of its latest nationwide public opinion poll.
In the final quarter of 2012 the number of people supporting Aliaksandr Lukashenka has reached 31.5 %, his rating being a bit lower in June (29.07 %).
According to the poll, most Belarusians still hope for government aid (62.7 % of respondents believe that “the state should take more care about its people”; only 22.7 % paid special attention to the necessity of people’s own self-dependence and initiative). 43.3 % of interviewees agreed to the statement that a strong leader can do more for a country than a good legal system; 49.1 % being opposed to it.
The analysts stressed that a third of Belarusians smart under injustice on the part of the country’s authorities having been resented by officers of state over the last three years.
Economic feeling remains no good
In the third quarter of 2012 Belarusians paid their attention to the economic stabilization: the number of people whose financial situation has deteriorated for the last three month amounts to 25 % (31.9 % – in June and about 60 % in December). At the moment only 64.1 % of respondents suppose that the Belarusian economy is in decline (comparing to 81.5 % in December).
Only 9 % of citizens were sitting out the parliamentary elections
However, the popular majority is not ready to express their dissatisfaction openly what is apparent from the 2012 parliamentary elections’ real result. In spite of numerous declarations of oppositionists, the poll has confirmed that the elections took place. Only 9 % boycotted it; other 24 % did not participate in the elections for one reason or other. The turnout beat 50 per cent target at the cost of residents of small towns and villages.
Most Belarusians (57.1 %) are still in the dark about the name of a deputy elected in their district.
Millions of citizens have not had any great expectations of the latest parliamentary elections and do not believe that the next elections will bring about any change.
Go West …or East?
Our nationals’ foreign policy views are also not marked by stability. In June 2012, choosing between the union with Russia and entering the European Union, 43.6 % raised their voices for the first option, 39.8 % voting for the second one. Today the boot is on the other foot: 36.2 % and 44.1 % respectively.
Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS) was established in February 1992 by group of academics, journalists, politicians and businessmen. Now IISEPS is registered as public institution in the Lithuanian Republic. IISEPS’ mission is to promote formation of civil society and free market economy in Belarus through study socio-economic and political process of transition from totalitarianism to democracy and active promotion of values and principles of liberalism.
Belsat
