Russians Oppose Having Variety of Political Parties – Poll

MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti) – Most Russians are against having a wide variety of parties, the head of the Public Opinion Foundation told RIA Novosti on Monday.

“Some 24 percent showed interest in having multiple parties. They said they liked that because it would probably be better – more ideas, more people,” Alexander Oslon said. “They were mainly educated Muscovites.”

In April, a new law entered into force in Russia to simplify registration of political parties. More than 70 parties are now registered in the country.

Oslon said his remarks were based on surveys conducted in January, April and July. The latest poll on the matter was conducted on July 15-23 in Moscow and involved 1,500 respondents.

He added that 57 percent of respondents were against having multiple parties. “These people believe that that would mean chaos, two much politicking,” he said.

The Public Opinion Foundation’s head also said that when Muscovites were asked whom they would vote for during the September elections to the Moscow City Duma, they almost never mentioned new parties, with the majority (30 percent) supporting the ruling United Russia party.