RIA Novosti: Russian pundits link Putin’s high ratings to Valdai speech, external pressure

(RIA Novosti – Moscow, October 30, 2014) Experts polled by RIA Novosti have linked President Vladimir Putin’s consistently high approval ratings, as documented by the Public Opinion Foundation [FOM], to socioeconomic instability, external pressure and the president’s powerful speech at the Valdai [Valday] forum [on 24 October].

According to the results of a FOM survey conducted on 25-26 October, among those who had decided their position and were ready to vote in a presidential election if one were to be held the following Sunday, 71 per cent of respondents would have voted for Putin (69 per cent in mid-October). According to FOM, Putin’s rating has remained above 68 per cent since May.

According to political analyst Aleksandra Konkova, Putin’s consistently high electoral rating is linked to the unquestionable public support of the activities of the country’s leadership and the president himself.

“Looking at the most recent figures, the positive dynamic is linked primarily to the [president’s] impressive performance at the Valdai forum last week (24 October), with all of his high-profile statements and his active position on current issues of internal development and external risks,” the expert said.

The president said then that Russia’s main strength would not be its natural resources or nuclear weapons, but its well-educated, creative, physically and mentally healthy people, and that it is vital to restore the role of Russian culture, which should form the foundation for self-determination among citizens, a source of uniqueness and the basis for understanding the national idea.

The secretary of the One Russia General Council (the party’s second-in-command) and State Duma deputy speaker, Sergey Neverov, also believes that Putin’s rising approval rating is connected with the effects of his Valdai speech.

“I think it may be connected, among other things, with our citizens’ reception of Putin’s performance at the Valdai Club meeting. The president called a spade a spade, letting everybody know that Russia is a self-sufficient country that is ready for dialogue, with a positive, peaceful agenda. A country that stands up for its interests while showing respect to others,” he said.

Aleksey Mukhin, head of the Political Information Centre, said that the head of state’s high rating was due to both external and internal factors.

“Socioeconomic instability does affect the ratings, but this means that the people are looking to the leader, to his actions, with hope; that is, more attention is being paid to the persona. External factors also play their part: the more external pressure is exerted on Russia, the stronger the ratings will become, because that is a natural mobilisation reaction,” the political analyst said.

He added that the conditions were not right for a drop in ratings, as the sanctions war is continuing, and “Washington continues to demonise Vladimir Putin and Russia around the world”, and mobilising factors remain in effect in Russian society.

[featured image is file photo]