Most Russians Think Russia Could Survive Putin’s Departure ‘Easily,’ Poll Shows

Paul Goble

            Staunton, July 6 – Many in the Putin elite are terrified about what will happen when Vladimir Putin leaves the scene, and the Kremlin leader has sought to extend their fears to the population as a whole, suggesting that without him, there is a great danger that Russia will descend into chaos, another “time of troubles.”

            But a new survey of 2035 Russians conducted by St. Petersburg’s Gorod 812 portal finds that a large percentage of Russians do not share that view and believe that the country can move quickly and easily to a new and better system once Putin leaves the scene (gorod-812.ru/62-schitaet-rossiya-legko-perezhivet/).

            Asked whether Russia will continue to exist “without Putin, “62 percent of this sample said htat “Russia will be able to get along quite well without President Putin and that his departure from power will not create any problems.” Thirty-two percent said that after he leaves, “there will be new elections in which the people will choose a new president.”

            In addition, 29 percent of respondents said that not only will Putin’s departure not create problems but should be arranged “as soon as possible” and even “now.” And one in every 100 Russians said that instead of asking whether Russia will exist without Putin, people should be asking whether it can continue to exist with him in power.

            The other portion of the population was far less optimistic. Twenty percent said that Russia will have problems once Putin goes but will survive. Twelve percent said that his departure will lead to a political crisis that will end with the disintegration of the state. And five percent said the future is unclear: Without Putin, things could be good or bad.