Pollsters: We expected a harsher reaction from Belarusians over devaluation

The majority of Belarusians reckons that another sharp devaluation should be expected within 2009, according to a poll, carried out by the Independent Institute for Social, Economic and Political Studies. The poll revealed that the devaluation of the Belarusian rubel was not a shock for the population. But, socilogist Alexander Sasnow believes that the respondents did not realize yet what had happened.

Sasnow: “We expected a harsher reaction from the people. We forecasted that there would be more Belarusians who are alarmed with this situation. But, apparently, Belarusians are slower that Russians or Ukrainians”.

64.2 percent of those polled said the government was deceiving the people, yet 53.6 percent maintain their trust in the authorities.

51,7 percent are confident that Belarus is yet to face a serious turmoil soon.