Page 23 - RusRPTDec23

2.11 Putin & government’s popularity
According to the latest polls from the Levada Centre, Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval ticket went up three percentage points in November to 85% approval and disapproval down two points to 13%.
Putin is benefiting from the failure of Ukraine to make any progress with its counteroffensive this summer and rising incomes in both nominal and real terms thanks to a tight labour market.
At the same time the heavy state spending on defence has given the economy a shot in the arm, which is running well ahead of potential.
These positive results are also seen in things like retail turnover, which is also up in November and the PMI manufacturing index is still in expansion mode, well above the 50
no-change mark, while unemployment is at a historic low of 3%.
The good news is also reflected in the “is the country going in the right/wrong direction” question where “right” ticked up 3 percentage points as well to 67%, while “wrong” remained flat at 21%, as more people shifted from “don’t know” to “right”.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has also seen his credibility rise to 72% in November from 68%, while his disapproval rating remains flat at 21%.
23 RUSSIA Country Report December 2023 www.intellinews.com