Putin's rating holds at a high level

[ChrisD(RJ)]

Putin's rating holds at a high level

MOSCOW. Aug 1 (Interfax) - The rating of Russian President Vladimir Putin
is holding at a stable high: 73% approve of his activities, while 20% do
not (the rating was 75% and 20%, respectively, in June), sociologists from
the All-Russia Public Opinion Center told Interfax on Thursday. 
   The information was collected in an express poll of 1,600 citizens of
Russia on July 26-29. 
   43% of respondents approve of the activities of Prime Minister Mikhail
Kasyanov, while 38% do not (44% and 40% in June). 
   36% feel positive about the work of the government in general, while 48%
disapprove (the indices were equal - 39% - in June). 
   Putin leads by the confidence rating, as well. 50% of respondents named
Putin when replying to a question on which politicians they trusted most.
This reflects a 4% rise when compared to June (46%). 
   Sergei Shoigu, a leader of the United Russia Party, comes next with 18%
(15% in June). The rating of Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov is
down to 14%, as against 17% in June. They are followed by Prime Minister
Mikhail Kasyanov with 9% (7%), Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov with 8% (7%),
Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky with 8% (10%), Yabloko
leader Grigory Yavlinsky with 6% (7%), leader of the Union of Right Forces
Boris Nemtsov with 6% (8%), Governor of the Kemerovo Region Aman Tuleyev
with 6% (9%), and Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznyov with 5% (6%). 
   21% of the respondents said they had no confidence in any Russian
politician (17% in April).