Most Russians are still content with the way President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rule the country. The ruling tandem became even more popular this May, according to a survey conducted by internationally respected pollster the Levada Centre. In all, 77% of those polled approved of President Medvedev's work, a 4% increase on April. Although Putin's popularity ratings have increased by just 2%, he is supported by 80% of Russians and still overtakes his successor, who is hot on his heels.
"This is the usual May fluctuation," said Levada Centre director Lev Gudkov. He added that society felt optimistic each May. This explains a slight increase in the popularity and merging ratings. When sociologists ask respondents to name those politicians whom they trust most of all, rather than find out their attitude towards the president and the prime minister, a 10% gap that has remained unchanged in the past ten years once again emerges in their popularity ratings.
Vladimir Putin is respected by 48% of those who took the poll and Dmitry Medvedev is trusted by 39%. Their ratings have declined by 2% and 3%, respectively, compared to April. However, the ruling tandem has surged far ahead of its rivals. They are followed by Minister of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief Sergei Shoigu with 18% who has overtaken Liberal Democratic Party of Russia leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky (11%) and Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov (8%), the two prospective presidential candidates for 2012. However, 19% of Russians do not trust a single national politician.
Viktor Khamrayev