Russians come for reducing number of parties

The polls conducted in Russia in March, April and May show that Russians come out for reducing the number of parties, but they should unite large groups of their supporters, head of the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) Valery Fyodorov said on Wednesday.

30% of the polled, the most numerous group, believe that as a result of the party reform the number of parties should be reduced but at the same time they should be consolidated," Mr. Fyodorov said.

The polls were conducted in 100 populated localities of 39 constituent members of the Russian Federation. The number of the polled in each type of questions was 1,600.

According to VTsIOM, the existing party system is poorly supported by Russians.

More than half of the polled believe that it should be changed.

Almost every fifth polled is of the opinion that one all-people's power party is enough for Russia. However more than 16% believe that more parties are needed. They may be small but should unite staunch and active supporters.

The opinion that Russia now needs not parties but leaders was not supported by any one of the polled.