english.fom.ru · search · · advanced search · russian version  








26.05.2005, Petrova A.

Eduard Limonov and the National-Bolshevik Party

In spite of the constant media attention towards the National-Bolshevik Party, its leader Eduard Limonov, and the party's noisy protest actions, the party is not well-known to Russians: 31% of those surveyed say they know or have heard something about it, while 62% have not heard of it.

Three percent of respondents say they feel positive about the party. These respondents approve of its activity, say its aims corresponds to their interests, and say they could vote for the National-Bolshevik Party in parliamentary elections. According to a recent poll, men predominate among the party's supporters, and there is also a large share of middle aged supporters and people with relatively big incomes among its backers. Explaining their position, these respondents say Limonov and his party "stand for the interests of ordinary people", "make a stand for the rights of the root Russians and the nation's revival", and "their aim is to cleanse Russia of people from the Caucasus" (1% each among all those surveyed).

Some respondents simply like the fact that the party is in the opposition ("such a party is necessary as an opposition"), and its political methods ("active young people, they throw cakes in the faces of bureaucrats"; "their methods are peaceful, but quite original – there are no real harm in them").

Those who are aware of the party's activity are more likely to say they disapprove of their actions (21%), and that their aims disagree with the interests of people such as themselves (22%). Limonov's followers provoke antipathy with their nationalistic ideology (respondents probably draw this conclusion from the party's name): "they are close to the fascists" (8%). Some respondents associate them with the communists: "I dislike the Bolshevik Party"; "communists bore me" (less than 1%), while others dislike the party's general image ("a harmful ideology"; "their political ideas are unfair"; "they conduct anti-state activity"; "this is a contradiction with democracy") - 2%. Five percent dislike the National-Bolsheviks' methods ("unconstitutional methods"; "they are hooligans").

Most people who know about the National-Bolsheviks (one-third of all those surveyed) say the party is not influential; 12% think it has no affect on the country's political life, and about the same number think its influence is weak. Only 1% of respondents think it has significant influence. Only 2% of respondents say the party's activity is visible where they live (in Moscow, 6%), while 24% see no sign of its work. According to 21%, National-Bolsheviks are closer to opponents of the government, while 2% hold the opposite opinion.

The party's leader Eduard Limonov is disliked by Russians: 20% of respondents feel negative about him, while 4% hold positive views. Two-thirds of those surveyed (63%) say they don't know who he is, and the rest have no opinion.

According to those who dislike the National-Bolsheviks, Limonov is a nationalist or even a fascist: "he propagandizes fascism". Some people (6%) consider his ideology to be "harmful", 2% call him "wrong" (2%), and another 2% say his methods are extreme. Some (3%) describe Limonov as "crude", "a clown", "a poseur", "an immoral man", "an adventurer", "a totally stupid man with foolish ideas" and say "he has an unbalanced mind". Some respondents dislike Limonov as a writer (1%), and the same number say he has a harmful influence on young people ("Limonov has a bad influence on young people who don't know what fascism is"; "he excites ethnic enmity, but stands aside while his supporters go to trial").

The very few people who like Limonov say he opposes the authorities ("he is a rebel"), is close to ordinary people ("he is for the people"), and is a good writer ("I read his books and I like them") - about 1% each.

The Public Opinion Foundation. Russia-wide poll of urban and rural population conducted in 100 residencies in 44 regions, territories, and republics, in all economic and geographical areas of Russia. Interviews are conducted at the homes of interviewees. Household interviews with a sample size of 1500 respondents. The margin of error does not exceed 3.6%. April 30, 2005.




POF database > Projects > FOM-info > Fom-Info #19 May 19, 2005 > Eduard Limonov and the National-Bolshevik Party