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Most Russians approve of Putin's work - poll

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - Nearly one-half of Russians (49%) said that there are more successes than failures in the three years of Vladimir Putin's presidency. Fifteen percent expressed the opposite opinion and 36% were undecided.

These figures came from a public survey conducted by the Public Opinion foundation obtained by Interfax on Thursday.

The poll showed that the number of Russians who approve of Putin's work has declined, as compared to 60% in March 2001 and 61% in March 2001. At the same time, the number of those who are undecided has increased, against 27% in 2001 and 26% in 2002.

Sixteen percent of those polled said that the president's largest success lies in foreign policy. Respondents welcomed Putin's moves to "improve ties with Europe," "revive contacts with former Soviet republics," "his opposition to a war in Iraq," and "his success in improving Russia's reputation in the world."

Another 12% described the president's social policy as his greatest achievement, including higher wages for government workers and the timely payment of pensions, in addition to "higher living standards for the population."

Six percent mentioned the strengthening of power, "law and order," four percent praised Putin's efforts to normalize the situation in the country. "[The country] has become more stable," "life is calmer now," they said.

Two percent mentioned the improving situation in Chechnya, another 2% noted the end of the country's economic crisis, while the remaining 2% said that Putin managed to gain "people's respect and love," and that "people believe in him and trust him."

As a year ago, respondents (12%) mainly criticized Putin for his handling of the situation in Chechnya. This opinion was expressed by 11% in 2002.

Eight percent of those polled (4% in 2002) said they are unhappy with the president's social policy." "The poverty rate is high" in Russia, "unemployment is high," "nothing is being done to sustain the social sector," and "military wages are very low."

Another 9% criticized the absence of "a stable, strong team capable of fulfilling the [president's] instructions" and "poor control over civil servants."

Among the president's other failures, four percent mentioned outstanding economic problems, three percent rampant crime and corruption and the remaining 2% criticized how the president handled the country's reforms ("the land reform is for the rich," "army, judicial and tax reforms are unsuccessful.")

According to the poll, Putin's work as president has met the expectations of nearly one-half of Russians (47%). More than one-third of those polled (36%) expressed the opposite opinion.

The Public Opinion foundation has conducted nationwide public surveys among urban and village residents every March over the past three years. A total of 1,500 people are polled each year.

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