Putin’s rate is still high

Russian President Vladimir Putin's popularity rating remains very high, with his work currently approved of by 69% and disapproved by 21% of Russians (these figures were 68% and 23% respectively in December). Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov's rating also grew slightly, with his work approved of by 45% of the population against 43% two months ago (37% and 35%, respectively). As for the Russian government's rating, it has on the whole declined from 38% last year to 34% this year. Two months ago, 48% of the poll respondents disapproved of what the government was doing; that figure now stands at 50%. Putin's trust rating is also the highest. In response to a request to name five of six of Russia's most trustworthy politicians, his name was given by 40% of those interviewed (41% back in December), Interfax reports. These comparative results came from two polls surveys of 1,600 Russians apiece by the All-Russia Center for Public Opinion Study on February 26 this year and at the end of last year.