NO LONGER IMPRESSIVE: Pollsters say that support for Vladimir Putin dropped 20% over the last ten years

NO LONGER IMPRESSIVE: Pollsters say that support for Vladimir Putin dropped 20% over the last ten years – Kommersant – September 11, 2012 –  Maxim Ivanov, Sofia Samokhina

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Kommersant reports that a poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) shows a 20% drop in the number of Vladimir Putin supporters over the last decade.

The poll was taken in late August, 2012, of 1,600 Russians in 46 regions with a margin of error of +/- 3.4%.

In 2002, ten years ago, 79% said Putin impressed them favorably, dropping to 59% in 2012.  Similar numbers came out in terms of support for Putin’s actions as president, dropping from 75% to 59%.

Those who dislike Putin rose from 8% to 22% across the same time period.

Kommersant interviewed two social scientists, who indicated such views as the notion that the Putin myth is over, and Putin needs to try to create the impression that he is irreplaceable in his role as a politician or governmental figure.

Political scientist Dmitry Orlov said, “Putin’s myth is history now. The population no longer perceives Putin as a man capable of solving all problems of the country … Moreover, the factor of inertia set in. People know Putin and more or less know what is to be expected from him. This 20% drop would have been a catastrophe had it occurred over a month and not over a decade. As matters stand, I do not think that Putin’s rating will fall or rise dramatically now. He will be seen as a competent manager.”