Putin’s popularity falls by 10 per cent in 2013 – poll
(RIA Novosti – December 26, 2013) Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity has fallen in 2013 but he is still the most popular politician in Russia, Russian RIA Novosti reported, quoting the results of a public opinion poll.[1]
According to a poll carried out by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) in December, 44 per cent of the respondents named Vladimir Putin as the most popular politician. Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu came second with 8 per cent and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov third with 7 per cent.
VTsIOM director-general Valeriy Fedorov said that last year Putin also topped the popularity rating and scored 54 per cent. The second place went to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (16 per cent) and the third to Shoygu (13 per cent).
Fedorov explained the falling rankings of all politicians by the absence of federal elections in 2013.
The poll was carried out among 1,600 people in 130 towns and villages in 42 Russian regions on 14-15 December.