Most Russians are uninspired by President Dmitry Medvedev's two major recent initiatives, to reform of the Interior Ministry and modernize the economy, according to a survey reported in Vedomosti newspaper.
The business daily said Russians believe that changes at the Interior Ministry will just be an imitation of reform, and that money earmarked for modernization will be stolen.
The traditionally dreadful reputation of the Russian police force has fallen further recently, with a grim 18 months that has seen officers convicted or charged with burning a suspect to death, shooting sprees, a beheading, and rape, but according to the Levada Center poll, 66% of Russians do not believe the reform will bring any positive results.
On February 18, Medvedev ordered the discharge of 17 top police generals as part of ongoing efforts to reform the police force.
Medvedev has also moved to introduce tougher punishment for police found guilty of crimes, submitting a bill to the parliament imposing harsher sentences than for civilians convicted of similar offences, and urged new anti-corruption measures.
The Levada Center survey said 11% viewed the reforms as "echoes of the struggle for power," while 28% said they were an "imitation." However, 27% saw some "signs of recovery" and 26% said they believe the president has begun a radical makeover of the current system.
The poll found a similar lack of enthusiasm for Medvedev's modernization policies.
Sixteen percent of respondents see the plans as another way to steal state funds and 17% say they are just talk. Only 10% of respondents expect modernization to bring moral regeneration on the basis of orthodox values and 11% see them creating a legal state with a free market economy.
Experts say that the reason for such results is that most Russians do not see Medvedev as an independent politician, saying that the power is in Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's hands, and also because people in the country have become tired of numerous economic and social reforms.
Nevertheless, sociologists said that the 10-15 percent of respondents who are positive about Medvedev's reforms could be enough to "transmit" the ideas further as they are active enough to do that.
MOSCOW, March 5 (RIA Novosti)
