New Kremlin-linked study shows that Russians fear for the country if Putin leaves power

The Center for Current Policy (CCP) has released a new report titled “Leave Thou Shalt Not Stay” about the risks and Russians’ fears associated with the potential end of Vladimir Putin’s presidency. As part of the study, CCP researchers conducted four focus groups on January 29 in Moscow, Perm, Volgograd, and Irkutsk, says the website RBC, citing the report.

The study’s respondents said they’re most worried about growing competition for power in Russia, a new distribution of property, the cancelation of the federal government’s national projects, reductions in state social spending, Russia’s loss of authority in the world, and a loss of continuity in the government.

CCP’s research also found less pronounced fears of aggravated interethnic conflicts and separatist sentiment, the growth of corruption, and a growing threat from the United States. Respondents’ “peripheral fears” included a deteriorating economic situation, a decline in Russia’s defense capacity, the possibility of a resurgence of the oligarchs, incidents of civil war, and even a confrontation with NATO.

Asked about the study, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that he refuses to comment on hypothetical fears.

The Center for Current Policy says the new public concerns about Vladimir Putin’s political future started taking shape in January after the president announced a series of major constitutional reforms. Putin says the revisions to Russia’s most fundamental laws are “dictated by life” and not some scheme to prolong his grip on power beyond the end of his final presidential term in 2024.