(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Russia think that former president and current prime minister Vladimir Putin has a strong influence in the country’s direction, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 50 per cent of respondents say Putin shares power with current president Dmitry Medvedev, up two points since April.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Russia think that former president and current prime minister Vladimir Putin has a strong influence in the country’s direction, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 50 per cent of respondents say Putin shares power with current president Dmitry Medvedev, up two points since April.
Another 30 per cent of respondents say that Putin is really in power, while only 11 per cent think Medvedev controls the government.
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 Jun. 18, Medvedev said he has sent a bill to the legislature seeking to relax current guidelines for non-governmental organizations operating in Russia, saying, "The existing regulation on registration is a burden." The president also said that a clause stating that NGOs that threaten Russia’s "national unity, uniqueness and cultural heritage" can be shut down will also be scrapped if the bill is approved.
Polling Data
In whose hands is the real authority in the Russian Federation placed right now?
|
|
May 2009 |
Apr. 2009 |
Feb. 2009 |
|
In Medvedev’s hands |
11% |
12% |
12% |
|
In Putin’s hands |
30% |
30% |
34% |
|
Both equally |
50% |
48% |
50% |
|
Hard to answer |
10% |
10% |
4% |
Source: Yury Levada Analytical Center
Methodology: Interviews with 1,600 Russian adults, conducted from Apr. 24 to Apr. 27, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
