Survey in Kabardino-Balkaria: 58% of balkarians are ready to participate in protest actions

Responses to a question on “which political party would you like to vote for?” demonstrated disinterest of significant number of respondents in State Duma and their reluctance to take part in Duma elections. Thus, 40% of respondents in Makhachkala declared that they are not going to participate in the elections. 22% said they are going to vote for “United Russia”; 10% - for “Just Russia”, 8% - for KPRF and 7% - for LDPR. 5% were in favor of SPS (Union of Right Forces) and 2% supported YABLOKO. Among other parties were mentioned “Russia’s patriots” (2%), Democratic party (1%) and Agrarian party (1%). An interesting characteristic feature of Dagestan is the fact that popularity of “United Russia” in that republic proved to be much lower than in other North Caucasus republics. At the same time, number of those who are not going to participate in parliamentary elections is considerably higher than in other North Caucasus regions. It should be noticed that many respondents including students of local higher schools and universities were surprised to learn from the questionnaire during the poll that there are other political parties in Russia except “United Russia”. Some students shared their problems stemming from the fact that they are forced by administration of their educational institutions to take part in various actions in support of “United Russia”.

Responses to a question on “whether presidential elections are going to have any impact on situation in Dagestan” also revealed quite skeptical attitudes of the population towards presidential elections and their ability to influence their republic. Thus, more than half of all respondents (54%) stated that presidential elections would not have any impact on Dagestan. Only 7% think that presidential elections will have positive influence; 6% - rather positive influence; 15% - rather negative influence and 12% - negative influence. 6% found it hard to answer that question. Overall, overwhelming majority of respondents in Makhachkala don’t connect their hopes for any changes with presidential elections and think that those elections cannot influence situation in their republic (54%). Moreover, almost one third of all respondents expect either negative (12%) or rather negative (15%) consequences of those elections. Number of optimists expecting positive (7%) or rather positive (6%) results of presidential elections is significantly lower than in other North Caucasus republics.

However, rather skeptical attitudes of the residents of Makhachkala towards presidential elections don’t have any negative impact on popularity of V. Putin. Responding to a question on “whom would you like to have as next Russia’s president?” overwhelming majority of respondents (61%) preferred current Russian president V. Putin. The second most popular presidential candidate D. Medvedev received only 12%. Among other potential presidents there were mentioned V. Zubkov (4%), S. Ivanov (3%), S. Shoigu (2%), B. Gryzlov (1%), G. Zyuganov (1%), R. Kadyrov (1%), G. Yavlinsky (1%) and D. Kozak (1%). It seems interesting that current Chechen leader Kadyrov was mentioned among other presidential candidates while during last poll in Grozny nobody of local residents mentioned his candidacy as next Russia’s president.