Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
- 2008: Race for the White House
- 2008: The U.S. Electoral College
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- U.S. Election 2008 - The Democrats
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- U.S. Election 2008: The Primaries
- Vladimir Putin
- Yasuo Fukuda
Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Russians Object to Strengthening PM Office
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Considering the possibility of Vladimir Putin becoming their prime minister, most people in Russia say the current distribution of power should remain as it is, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. 51 per cent of respondents share this opinion, while 19 per cent think the prime minister should attain more power.
Vladimir 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." The next presidential election is tentatively scheduled for March 2008.
On Oct. 1, Putin accepted an offer to lead the United Russia (YR) list in the election to the State Duma—scheduled for Dec. 2—and called the possibility of becoming prime minister "entirely realistic."
On Oct. 30, Estonian prime minister Andrus Ansip expressed concern over the political situation in the Russian Federation, saying, "Naturally, I am worried about the way things are developing in Russia. Only three years ago, the state accounted for 50 per cent of the Russian national economy: now it is 70 per cent." Ansip also commented on the possibility of Putin becoming prime minister, and stated: "Some say that it would bring stability to Russia, but I would prefer democracy."
Polling Data
If Vladimir Putin becomes prime minister after he steps down, would you like the distribution of powers to remain the same as it is now or to change to transfer more powers to the prime minister?
|
Remain as it is now |
51% |
|
Transfer more powers to the prime minister |
19% |
|
Hard to answer |
30% |
Source: Yury Levada Analytical Center
Methodology: Interviews with 1,600 Russian adults, conducted from Oct. 5 to Oct. 10, 2007. No margin of error was provided.