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Nation-wide home interviews conducted July 9-10 2005 in 100 residencies in 44 regions. A sample size of 1500 respondents. Additional polls of the Moscow population, with a sample of 600 respondents. The margin of error does not exceed 3,6%.
The level of awareness of the recent "colored revolutions" in Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan is quite high: 49% of respondents say they know about the mass protests that lead to the changes of government, while 34% say they heard something about it (only 15% learned about it from the pollster).
Aware respondents were asked whether the protests should be seen as revolutions. Many people (41%) think they were not, while 22% said Georgia experienced a revolution; 20% said Ukraine, and 18% said Kyrgyzstan.
There is no consensus among respondents on why the mass protests led to a change of power, although more see a similar background (35%), than see different reasons (26%) for the changes. Those who spoke about a common background for events in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan were asked to explain their opinion. Some spoke about poor living conditions (9%), growing dissatisfaction with the authorities (7%), general dissatisfaction and a desire to stand up for one's rights (2%). Some think a struggle for power and money were present in all three countries (7%), as well as outside interference (6%).
According to most respondents (55%), the "colored revolutions" took place mainly due to outside interference, while only 14% believe they took place in accordance with the will of the people. Moreover, very few respondents think living conditions are improving as a result of the revolutions - 6% mentioned Ukraine, and 3% each mentioned Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. The view that life is worsening in those countries was expressed far more often: 30% named Georgia, 26% said Ukraine, and 24% mentioned Kyrgyzstan.
Elena Vovk
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