Less than half of Russian people know who Alexei Navalny is, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Levada Center.
Of the 40 percent of respondents who know the name Alexei Navalny, only 16 percent find his fight against corruption appealing, Vedomosti reported Tuesday, citing the survey results.
Twelve percent of respondents like his uncompromising stance against the authorities, and 9 percent are drawn to his leadership qualities.
Those that worry about Navalny's growing status often point to his nationalist views, which trouble 13 percent of respondents, while only 2 percent are attracted by his liberal views.
Seventeen percent did not like his "involvement in corruption". His "drive for power" is viewed unfavorably by 16 percent, while his "links with the U.S." were viewed negatively by 14 percent.
According to Denis Volkov, a sociologist at the Levada Center, the division of views on Navalny reflects the existence of two types of Russian: those who have known of Navalny for a long time, and those who have found out about him recently, from state television.
Navalny broke onto state television this year in connection with the KirovLes criminal case, in which he is accused of stealing funds from the timber firm. A quarter of Russians view this as retaliation from the state for Navalny's anti-corruption work. Fourteen percent of the people surveyed think Navalny abused his position in Kirov.
