The “Direct Line” of the Russians with the President of the Russian Federation, Putin, is scheduled for December 14. This annual tradition was not implemented last year because it was clear that everything else would look surreal apart from the “inconvenient issues” for discussion. This year, they decided to return to the tradition. What do citizens of the Russian Federation want to ask their leader?
Who cares about public opinion?
It’s no secret that you won’t be able to ask questions because they are “filtered” very carefully. It is even better to say that the questions are chosen for the answers the government wants to voice to the people.
To find out what questions Russians would really like to ask Putin, the Russian organization “Levada Center” conducted a poll.
Its results were distributed as follows:
– 21% – deadlines for completion of the so-called SMO and its results. People are most interested in the end of mobilization, peace with Ukraine, or Russia’s victory.
– 8% – amount of pensions (calculation, indexation).
– 8% – social programs (low-quality medical care, education, housing unaffordability).
– 20% – cannot formulate questions.
– 10% – have no questions and do not intend to watch “Direct Line.”
Commenting on these results, the Institute for the Study of War emphasizes that Russians continue to doubt the result of the war. It follows that the propaganda did not achieve the results the government had hoped for. Anti-war rhetoric is still heard despite efforts to destroy it, and protests against mobilization continue.
The real reason
The obtained data are consistent with the results of another earlier survey, which showed that more and more citizens of the Russian Federation are inclined to withdraw the Russian army from Ukrainian territories. More than half of the respondents believe that it is necessary to start peace negotiations with Kyiv.
American analysts believe this “Direct Line” will be the symbolic beginning of Putin’s presidential campaign before the 2024 elections. Analysts note that he will base it on strengthening Russia’s internal stability in the future and increasing confrontation with the West, which will increasingly be seen as a direct threat.
Officials and politicians in Russia have also already started preparing public opinion for the “Direct Line.” For example, the other day, press secretary Dmitry Peskov said he was surprised how many people wanted to express their gratitude and support to the President without asking questions.
