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Russian independent pollster targeted in 'foreign agent' crackdown Russian independent pollster targeted in 'foreign agent' crackdown
(35 minutes later)
Russia's only independent pollster has said it might have to shut its doors following a government demand that it register as a foreign agent. Russia's only independent pollster has warned it may have to shut its doors after a government demand that it register as a foreign agent.
The Levada Centre, which carries out sociological studies and regularly rates Russia's top politicians, is the latest target for prosecutors seeking to enforce a new law requiring political NGOs that receive foreign funding to stamp themselves with the Soviet-era tag.The Levada Centre, which carries out sociological studies and regularly rates Russia's top politicians, is the latest target for prosecutors seeking to enforce a new law requiring political NGOs that receive foreign funding to stamp themselves with the Soviet-era tag.
Levada's director, Lev Gudkov, said in a statement that by accusing the group of carrying out political work, "the prosecutor is basically putting our organisation on the verge of possible sanctions on the one hand, and undermining our credibility and reputation on the other". Levada's director, Lev Gudkov, said that by accusing the group of carrying out political work "the prosecutor is basically putting our organisation on the verge of possible sanctions on the one hand, and undermining our credibility and reputation on the other".
Levada's public surveys are essential to journalists working in the country. In the past seven days, it has published polls measuring Russians' attitudes towards homosexuality, the church and the tsarist system, as well as a survey documenting growing internet use in the country. The group's public surveys are essential to journalists working in the country. In the past seven days it has published polls measuring Russians' attitudes towards homosexuality, the church and the tsarist system, as well as a survey documenting growing internet use in the country.
Unlike pollsters linked to the state, Levada regularly shows that Russians' approval of Vladimir Putin is not as high as the Kremlin portrays. According to Levada's most recent poll, 26% of Russians approve of the president. Russia's two other pollsters, VTsIOM and the Public Opinion Foundation, put the number at 52%. Unlike pollsters linked to the state, Levada regularly shows that Russians' approval of Vladimir Putin is not as high as the Kremlin portrays. According to its most recent poll, 26% of Russians approve of the president. Russia's two other pollsters, VTsIOM and the Public Opinion Foundation, put the number at 52%.
Gudkov said foreign grants amounted to between 1.5% and 3% of Levada's funding.Gudkov said foreign grants amounted to between 1.5% and 3% of Levada's funding.
Critics of the new law say it is designed to crack down on civil society and increase suspicion of foreigners. The law requires groups to stamp "foreign agent" on all publications and websites, and to undergo extra budgetary checks. Critics of the law say it is designed to crack down on civil society and increase suspicion of foreigners. The law requires groups to stamp "foreign agent" on all publications and websites, and to undergo extra budgetary checks.
Several NGOs that receive foreign funding have refused to register as foreign agents, arguing that the term would scare away potential partners.Several NGOs that receive foreign funding have refused to register as foreign agents, arguing that the term would scare away potential partners.
Hundreds of NGOs around the country have been raided in the past few months, following a speech by Putin in February demanding that the law be enforced. In late April an election monitoring group, Golos, was fined 300,000 roubles (£6,300) for failing to register as a foreign agent, becoming the first organisation to be fined under the new law. Hundreds of NGOs around the country have been raided in the past few months, after a speech by Putin in February demanding that the law be enforced.
In late April an election monitoring group, Golos, was fined 300,000 roubles (£6,300) for failing to register as a foreign agent, becoming the first organisation to be fined under the law.
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