09:50, 15 April 2014

Sociologists explain Russians' optimism towards situation in Caucasus by Crimea's accession

Residents of Untsukul District during the meeting in Irganai village. Dagestan, March 5, 2014. Photo by Patimat Makhmudova for the ‘Caucasian Knot’.

The population of Russia expresses a surge of optimism in relation to the situation in Caucasus. This was proved by the data of the recent survey led by the Levada Centre, conducted on March 21-24, compared to the survey conducted in this January.

According to the surveys conducted by the Levada Centre, in this January, 18% of respondents believed the situation in North Caucasus was favourable, and in March, the figure increased up to 41%. At the same time, the portion of respondents who believed the situation was tense decreased from 60% to 43%. The portion of respondents who believed the situation was critical or explosive decreased from 12% to 4%.

The citizens' expectations regarding the situation in North Caucasus have also improved. In March, 21% of respondents believed the situation would improve in the future (in January, the appropriate figure was 12%), and only 9% of respondents believed the situation would get worse (in January, the figure was 17%).

Staff members of the sociological organizations believe that it is a short burst of optimism caused by the Crimea's joining to Russia.

Author: Semyen Charny

Source: CK correspondent