Half of Russians think country may see Stalinist repression again

Nearly half of Russians fear a repeat of Stalin-style repression in their country.

Almost half (48%) of Russians fear there may be a repeat of mass repression in Russia similar to that seen in the Soviet Union in the times of Stalin, according to a poll released on Wednesday by the Russian Public Opinion Foundation, UNIAN reports.

Sociologists asked members of the public if political repression could happen again in Russia, and what the level of probability of such repression was. Fourteen percent of the respondents answered that the probability of such repression was high, and 34% said that it could happen, but that the likelihood of it was low.

According to 20% of respondents, there will be no repeat of Stalin-style repression, while another 19% gave no answer to the question.

Compared to 2012, the opinion of the Russians on this issue is little changed: Then, 51% thought repression might occur in Russia, (23% saw the probability of it as high, while 28% saw it as low).

Interestingly, pollsters have found that over the last two years opinion has changed in Russia about the responsibility for the repression. In 2012 people mostly blamed Stalin, with 43% blaming the Soviet dictator and 37% his entourage, but now this view has changed, with 40% now blaming Stalin and 42% blaming those in power under him.

Sociologists asked members of the public if political repression could happen again in Russia, and what the level of probability of such repression was. Fourteen percent of the respondents answered that the probability of such repression was high, and 34% said that it could happen, but that the likelihood of it was low.

According to 20% of respondents, there will be no repeat of Stalin-style repression, while another 19% gave no answer to the question.

Compared to 2012, the opinion of the Russians on this issue is little changed: Then, 51% thought repression might occur in Russia, (23% saw the probability of it as high, while 28% saw it as low).

Interestingly, pollsters have found that over the last two years opinion has changed in Russia about the responsibility for the repression. In 2012 people mostly blamed Stalin, with 43% blaming the Soviet dictator and 37% his entourage, but now this view has changed, with 40% now blaming Stalin and 42% blaming those in power under him.

The poll was conducted on October 19, with pollsters interviewing 1,500 members of the public in their homes. The margin of error of the poll is no greater than 3.6%, the Russian Public Opinion Foundation said.