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The Audit Chamber has compiled an astonishing report about the state of Russia’s healthcare system. ​Among its findings: 41.1% Russia’s roughly 116,000 medical institutions lack central heating, 14% of buildings are in disrepair, and 30.5% have no water supply. In particular, the Audit Chamber criticized the government for neglecting paediatric clinics. Of the 1.6 trillion rubles allocated for the “Healthcare” national project through 2024, just RUB253bn, or 14.9%, will go towards creating medical infrastructure for children.
2.11 ​Polls & Sociology
More than one-quarter of Russians want to see President Vladimir Putin stay in power after his term ends in 2024​, according to a survey by the independent Levada Center pollster published Thursday. Putin, 67, was elected to his fourth overall presidential term in 2018 and is constitutionally required to step down in 2024. Observers said that the sweeping constitutional shake-up Putin set in motion this month gives the president the scope to extend his 20-year grip on power. 27% of Russian respondents said they wanted Putin to stay on as president after 2024, Levada said. Another 25% said they wanted Putin to either return to private life or retire.
Almost 80% of Russians believe that Russia and the West should become friends and partners​, according to the results of an independent Levada Center poll published Tuesday. Only 3% of Russian respondents said they see the West as Russia’s enemy, Levada said. Another 16% said they view the West as a rival. Two-thirds of Levada’s respondents (67%) said Russia should treat the West as a “partner,” while 11% said Russia should treat the West as a “friend,” according to the Kommersant business daily’s breakdown of the data. Russians view the European Union more favorably than the United States, with 49% expressing positive opinions toward the former and 42% toward the latter. Negative views of the EU and the U.S. were split among Russian respondents at 37% and 46%, respectively. When asked about NATO, 61% of the respondents said its member countries should not fear Russia and 44% said that Russia should not fear NATO members. Conversely, 35% of the respondents told Levada that members of the Western military bloc should fear Russia and 52% percent said Russia should fear NATO member states.
Preparations for the nationwide vote on constitutional reform are officially underway ​after Putin signed a decree instructing the Central Election Commission (CEC) to begin its work on Friday. According to Putin’s instructions and CEC head Ella Pamfilova’s statements, the vote should cost roughly the same as the presidential election in 2018—that is, 14bn rubles ($220mn). Since it would be unreasonable to list all of the proposed amendments on the ballot itself, the CEC plans to create a mobile app to, which voters can refer. The CEC will also organize polling stations in a variety of locations, including shopping centres and apartment buildings to ensure maximum turnout. In the meantime, while the CEC prepares, the Kremlin is busy setting expectations for regional authorities. Last week, the presidential administration held a three-day seminar for vice governors on domestic politics. It reiterated the target (i.e. key performance indicator for governors) that each region achieves 60% turnout with 70% of votes in favor. How will regional officials hit this target? As with the presidential election in 2018, they have been instructed to create a festive atmosphere surrounding the vote.
23​ RUSSIA Country Report​ March 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com