(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev continue to enjoy high ratings in Russia, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 83 per cent of respondents approve of the way the current prime minister has handled his duties, while 76 per cent feel the same way about the president’s performance.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev continue to enjoy high ratings in Russia, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 83 per cent of respondents approve of the way the current prime minister has handled his duties, while 76 per cent feel the same way about the president’s performance.
Russian voters renewed the State Duma in December 2007. United Russia (YR)—whose candidate list was headed by then president Putin—secured 64.1 per cent of the vote and 315 of the legislature’s 450 seats. On that same month, Putin endorsed Medvedev as a presidential candidate, and Medvedev said it would be of the "utmost importance" to have Putin as prime minister.
In March 2008, Medvedev easily won Russia’s presidential election with 70.28 per cent of the vote. In May, Medvedev was sworn in as president. His nomination of Putin as prime minister was confirmed by the State Duma in a 392-56 vote.
On Dec. 29, Putin discussed the state of Russia’s economy, saying, "Despite a negative dynamic in the fourth quarter, the Russian economy and social sphere will end the year on the plus side. Growth in gross domestic product is expected to be around six per cent. (…) Of course, in conditions of universal well-being, the will to work is nicer, more comfortable. But working in difficult conditions should not lead to stagnation, melancholy or pessimism."
Polling Data
Do you approve or disapprove of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s performance?
|
Dec. 2008 |
Nov. 2008 |
Oct. 2008 |
|
|
Approve |
76% |
78% |
76% |
|
Disapprove |
21% |
17% |
18% |
Do you approve or disapprove of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin’s performance?
|
Dec. 2008 |
Nov. 2008 |
Oct. 2008 |
|
|
Approve |
83% |
86% |
83% |
|
Disapprove |
15% |
12% |
14% |
Source: Yury Levada Analytical Center
Methodology: Interviews with 1,600 Russian adults, conducted from Dec. 12 to Dec. 15, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
