Interfax: Putin’s performance approved by 64% of Russians – poll

MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) – As many as 64% of Russians described Vladimir Putin’s work as president positively in October, and 33% said they trust him, the Levada Center sociological service told Interfax in summing up outcomes of a nationwide poll of 1,603 respondents conducted in 130 populated areas in 45 regions on October 25-28.

Dmitry Medvedev’s performance as prime minister was approved by 51% of the respondents, and 14% said they trust him.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is trusted by 17% (down from 20% in September), Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov by 10%, and Liberal-Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky by 8%.

The poll showed also that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin is trusted by 6% of the respondents, Civil Platform party leader Mikhail Prokhorov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov by 5% each, A Just Russia party leader Sergei Mironov by 4%, and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko by 3% each.

As many as 22% of the respondents do not trust any of Russian policymakers.

Over half of those polled – 55% – said they generally approved of the performance of their governors (or the mayor in the case of Moscow), and 45% disapprove of it. The number of those disapproving grew from 41% in September.

The government’s performance was approved by 44% of the respondents, while 56% are critical of it. The State Duma deputies’ work was approved by 39%, while 60% disapprove of it.

The poll showed also that 40% believe that things in the country are going generally well, while 43% disagree with this.