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).