Interfax: Russians think Putin became wiser, closer to people than before – poll

(Interfax – MOSCOW, October 7, 2013) Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently become more long-sighted and wiser (65%), more strong-willed (64%) and looks fresher and more energetic (63%), sociologists said citing a poll held.

Respondents said that Putin awoke more interest in himself and his actions (57%) than before, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said presenting the survey held in 130 cities, towns and villages in 42 Russian regions, territories and republics.

Putin turns 61 on October 7.

Russians think that Putin currently does more for the country and people in general (59%), that he is nicer (54%) and more trustworthy (50%) and that he has become closer to ordinary people (50%), the poll showed.

At the same time, 58% respondents said that Putin had become more rigid than before.

A total of 67% Russians said that Putin had recently started to have more weight in global politics.

The majority, 65%, think that Putin has become more demanding of himself lately and his circle in terms of morals, honesty and obedience of the law, while 44% of respondents think that Putin could count on the support of his circle more than before and 45% believe that Putin trusts his circle less today, the survey showed.

Whe asked about earlier feelings for Putin the way he was before, 56% said they counted on him, 33% were sure of him, 21% were proud and 19% were calm, the poll showed.

When asked about the emotions felt for Putin today, 32% said they counted on him, 27% were certain of him, 19% were calm, 16% were proud, 21% are indifferent and 17% were alarmed.

Russians said that the country was unstable (18%), poor (10%) and, at the same time, reviving (10%) under previous times when Putin was in control, sociologists said. While currently 16% of respondents think that Russia is a solid and strong country, 10% believe it is changing for the better, 10% suppose that the country is more stable under current Putin and 10% share the opposite point of view, the poll showed.