Russians fed up with entrenched corruption -poll

MOSCOW, July 25 (Reuters) Russians want their government to make fighting corruption its top priority, according to a poll published that underlined widespread public disenchantment at entrenched graft in society.

The poll, carried out by the Yuri Levada Analytical Centre, yesterday showed 45 per cent of Russians thought the government should focus efforts to fight corruption, a rise from 41 per cent last year. Respondents said corruption was their primary worry.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly vowed to crackdown on corruption, but political opponents say corruption has risen since he came to power in 2000. Putin admitted earlier this year that he had not made as much progress as he wanted.

Corruption has become a way of life for millions of Russians at every level of society, weakening confidence in almost every institution - from universities to the security services.

Bribes range from a few dollars to pay off a policeman after breaking traffic rules to millions of dollars paid out to corrupt civil servants who hold sway over Russia's giant reserves of gas, oil and natural resources.

Some analysts say that the authorities could seek to exploit discord with corruption by launching a public crackdown on graft ahead of the 2008 presidential elections, when Putin is expected to hand over power to a handpicked successor.

Levada said corruption was the top concern for the 1,600 people queried.

''For the first time in all our years of interviews, in the top place is the fight against corruption, ahead of other concerns such as combatting inflation,'' it stated.

The poll showed tacking inflation was the second most important issue, with 40 per cent of respondents saying it should be a government priority. The poll showed 30 per cent wanted the government to focus on improving law and order.

REUTERS DKS PM0426