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Putin tops ratings list of Russian politicians

MOSCOW. April 1 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin's rating remains high: 72% of Russians approve of his activities, while 24% think the opposite, the All-Russia Public Opinion Center told Interfax on Monday with reference to a poll of 1,600 citizens on March 26.

45% of respondents approved of the activities of Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, and 39% did not.

39% of those polled said they approve of the activities of the Russian government in general, while 50% disapprove.

Putin also leads in the confidence rating: 42%, when asked to name five or six politicians they had confidence in, named Putin.

They also named Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov (15%), one of the United Russia Party's leaders Sergei Shoigu (13%), Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky (9%), Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov (8%), Deputy Prime Minister Valentina Matviyenko (8%), Kemerovo Governor Aman Tuleyev (7%), head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yevgeny Primakov (7%), leader of the Union of Right Forces Duma faction Boris Nemtsov (5%), and Duma Vice-Speaker Irina Khakamada (5%).

23% of respondents said they did not trust any Russian politician.