(CPOD) Nov. 21, 2004 - Many Russians are satisfied with Vladimir Putin, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 72 per cent of respondents approve of the president's performance.

Putin won a second four-year term as president in the Mar. 14 election, garnering 71.31 per cent of all cast ballots. The pro-Kremlin United Russia (YR) currently controls 222 seats in the State Duma, a fact that has led to questions over a possible change in presidential term limits.

In October 2003, YUKOS chairman Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested on tax evasion and fraud charges. YUKOS—the second-largest Russian oil conglomerate—is said to be on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of a $7 billion U.S. tax claim, which led to the freezing of the company's bank accounts. The Russian government allowed the company to resume oil production in July.

Khodorkovsky's arrest was considered as a forceful action after Putin promised a crackdown on corruption. Other observers regard the case as retaliation after the former chairman supported Putin's political rivals.

On Nov. 19, the Russian government announced it will auction YUKOS's principal Siberian unit in December for $8.65 billion U.S. YUKOS chief executive Steven M. Theede regarded the move as "government-organized theft to settle a political score."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Vladimir Putin's performance as president?

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.