Approval ratings dropped to their lowest for President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in January, although their popularity is still around 70 percent each, according to a new poll.
Of 1,600 Russians polled by the independent Levada Center between Jan. 21 and 24, before a suicide bomber struck Domodedovo Airport on Monday, 69 percent approved of Medvedev as president, down from December’s 75 percent.
Putin’s rating was at its lowest point since he became prime minister in 2008. The January poll showed 72 percent approval for his leadership compared with 79 percent in December. His ratings stayed well over 80 percent throughout 2008.
Levada said this month’s drop reflects discontent over inflation and rising utility prices.
(Reuters)
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