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Putin Approval Surges to 79% in Russia
- Russian president Vladimir Putin maintains one of the highest approval ratings in the world, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 79 per cent of respondents approve of Putin's performance, up two points since June.
Putin was elected to a second term as president in March 2004 with 71.31 per cent of all cast ballots. In April 2005, Putin ruled out seeking a new mandate, saying, "I will not change the constitution and in line with the constitution, you cannot run for president three times in a row."
In December 2004, Putin signed a controversial bill that effectively eliminates the election of Russia's 89 governors by popular vote. The provision allows the president himself to nominate every governor, and await confirmation by regional legislatures.
Russia hosted the 2006 G-8 summit in Saint Petersburg from Jul. 15 to Jul. 17. The meeting's agenda focused on energy policy, education, fighting disease and the war on terrorism.
On Jul. 17, Putin said the views on Russia are still being influenced by the Cold War, adding, "There are forces both in Russia and the U.S. that abide by the thinking of the 20th century, rather than the 21st century, those who live and feed on ideas of the past confrontation."
Polling Data
Do you approve or disapprove of Vladimir Putin's performance as president?
Jul. 2006 | Jun. 2006 | May 2006 | |
Approve | 79% | 77% | 76% |
Disapprove | 19% | 21% | 23% |
Source: Yury Levada Analytical Center
Methodology: Interviews to 1,600 Russian adults, conducted from Jul. 14 to Jul. 17. 2006. No margin of error was provided.