Putin Rating Nears Two-Year High on Olympic Triumph, Poll Shows

[Purveyor]

By Anna Andrianova Feb 26, 2014 1:03 PM ET

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating rose to the highest since May 2012 after the nation led the medals table at the Sochi Winter Olympics and against the backdrop of unrest in Ukraine, a survey showed.

Putin’s rating rose to 67.7 percent from 60.6 percent last month, according to a Feb. 22-23 poll by the state-run All-Russia Center for the Study of Public Opinion, known as VTsIOM. That’s the highest since 68.8 percent in May of 2012, when the Russian leader was inaugurated for his third term in office.

Putin, who used Russia’s oil-powered wealth accumulation to build support for his now 14-year rule, is facing the worst economic slowdown since a 2009 recession. Over the past three years, he also stared down the biggest opposition demonstrations since he came to power. The Olympics and the contrast with the bloody events in neighboring Ukraine helped rally his support, according to VTsIOM.

The rating surge “is connected with the results of the Olympic Games in Sochi and are also due to the comparison effect against the political unrest and the ghost of the civil war in Ukraine,” VTsIOM said on its website.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-26/putin-rating-nears-two-year-high-on-olympic-triumph-poll-shows.html

[William769]

1. Propaganda & bigotry does wonders for him! nt

[LittleBlue]

2. His popularity looks huge when you compare it to the numbers in this country

for the POTUS and congress.

If nothing else, Putin knows his people. At least, he connects with the majority of them.

[moondust]

3. "poll by the state-run All-Russia Center"

Could incidentally provide cover for a military operation in Ukraine...

[Renew Deal]

4. He has bolstered his ratings with increased support from Arizona