Russians Voting For Putin Have Been Found To Have A Sharp Rise In Irritation

Because of blockchain, taxes, and prices.

The number of citizens experiencing tension, irritation and fear has increased sharply in Russia amid Internet blockades, tax hikes and store prices. Overall, 24% of Russians experienced negative feelings in March compared to 18% in November last year, according to the survey by the Levada Center.

At the same time, the most loyal to the authorities groups of the population spoke of irritation more often. Thus, 29% of women surveyed, 31% of Russians over 55, and 40% of those who barely have enough to eat said they had negative emotions in November. Among those who openly support Vladimir Putin, 15% reported tension and irritation.

At the same time, the share of those who believe that the country is moving in the wrong direction has grown: from 21% in November last year to 26% in March this year. Against this background, VTsIOM recorded a decline in the level of approval of Putin's performance, which has fallen by 4.3 pp. to 70.1% since the beginning of the year. It turned out to be the lowest since the first days of the war. The rating of United Russia also fell - to 29.3% against 33.8% in mid-January. The dissatisfaction of Russians loyal to the authorities has indeed become greater, recognized the source of "Verstka" in "United Russia". "The former nuclear electorate is a little hesitant today. There is a problem," said the publication's interlocutor in one of the party's branches in the Central Federal District. However, he expressed hope that "the disgruntled audience will dissolve" closer to the Duma elections in September.

The Internet blackouts have become a "getting factor" for Russians loyal to the government, said Abbas Galliamov, a former speechwriter for Putin and a political scientist. "It's bad here, it's bad there - and the Internet has also been cut off. This concerns everyone. <�...> This is an invasion of personal space," the political scientist explained. Moreover, according to him, Putin's electorate has become less afraid of the authorities. "They have the feeling: we are in our right. we always voted for Putin, United Russia, did everything you wanted. And why us? We supported you, but we got screwed, you screwed us. The feeling of a broken social contract," the political scientist emphasized.

Negativity is off the scale because of the deteriorating economy and rising prices, agrees political scientist Alexander Kynev. Over the past year, he said, it was constantly said that the war in Ukraine was about to end and sanctions would be lifted. "The propaganda made a very big mistake - the society, which has already adapted a little, suddenly thawed with new hopes the wound, which is already almost healed. These expectations were accelerated and then - bang! - it was abruptly stopped. I call it 'hope torture,'" Kynev noted.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]