| Russian sociology experts believe that the parliamentary
and presidential elections scheduled for the end of 2003 and the
first half of 2004 will be marked by high levels of social optimism,
as society has adapted to changes in the country, a high-ranking
expert said Thursday.
Dr Igor Bunin, general director of the Centre for Political Technologies,
told a news conference that his conclusions were based on sweeping
sociological research and analysis of the political situation
before the kickoff to the 2003 election race.
The research confirmed President Vladimir Putin's personal popularity,
Bunin said. Coupled with "positive coverage" of developments
by Russian television channels, it may have formed a positive
public outlook on actions by the federal authorities, he said.
Bunin noted that the Russians were now more inclined to readdress
their claims to the regional authorities.
Analysts indicate that the electoral sphere is largely dominated
by parties with seats in the State Duma, and that the voters seem
to have identified favorites of the race in the early phase of
preparations for the election.
The United Russia Party and Communist Party of the Russian Federation
accounted for 54 percent of projected votes at the end of 2002,
according to opinion polls sponsored by the All-Russia Public
Opinion Research Centre.
Statistics also indicate that the centrist and pro-presidential
United Russia Party is becoming more attractive for the centrist-minded
electorate, while the Communist Party is apparently losing its
position as clear leader among the leftwing.
Researchers also say that the Union of Right-Wing Forces, the
liberal right-wing Yabloko and [Zhyrinovsky's] the Liberal-Democratic
Party of Russia are in the tier below, accounting for 21 percent
of projected votes altogether.
This means that any chances of election to the upper league
are virtually ruled out, even though the electoral campaign has
yet to begin.
See also:
State Duma
elections 2003
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