Russians forecast Putin's victory in first round - poll
MOSCOW. Feb 22 (Interfax) - The majority of Russians expect Prime Minister and United Russia presidential candidate Vladimir Putin to win the election in the first round due to his high polling figures, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents predicted Putin's victory in the first round. Thirty-five percent said he enjoyed the confidence of citizens, 14% said he possessed leadership qualities, 9% referred to his service to the country, and 11% said there was no alternative to the candidate. Twelve percent said that the election outcome was predetermined, and 7% indicated the use of administrative resources.
Thirteen percent predicted two rounds of the presidential election (the indicator stood at 19% in January). Forty-six percent said that people were disappointed in Putin, 19% referred to strong opposition candidates, 8% said it was impossible to falsify elections because of protest rallies, while 6% said there was a large number of other candidates in the election.
Fifty-seven percent said it would be better for the country if Putin won the election in the first round. Eighty-seven percent of such respondents would vote for Putin. Eighteen percent said that Russia would gain from Putin's defeat (52% of them are supporters of Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov). Only 4% want Putin to win in the second round.
The center polled 1,600 adults in 138 towns and cities in 46 regions on February 4-5. The margin of error is 3.4%.