Page 35 - RusRPTJun20

a frontline figure in federal efforts to combat the virus.
Over half or 61% of Russian voters of those planning to participate in the upcoming referendum will support the proposed constitutional amendments​, which include allowing President Vladimir Putin to run again for office in 2024, according to the state Vtsiom pollster. As reported by ​bne IntelliNews,​ PutincaughtobserversoutinJanuarybyagreeingtoa stage-managed “spontaneous” suggestion that the two-term limit on a president’s term in office be waived in his case. The constitution referendum was slated to happen on April 22. However, the Kremlin reluctantly delayed the vote after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Russia rapidly gathered momentum.
Weakening support for Putin has been identified both by state-run polling agency Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), and by the independent Levada Center​. According to a March VTsIOM poll, 28.3% of Russians said they trust Putin (in response to a question “Which politicians do you trust?” that did not offer names) — a new record low. Even during the highly unpopular pension reforms pushed through in 2018, this indicator never went below 30%.
Similarly, a Levada Center poll showed Putin’s approval rating fell from 63% in March to 59% in April​. This indicator has never before dropped below 60% — the last time it even neared that level was in 2013, just ahead of the Kremlin’s decision to annex the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
Sociologists said Putin’s popularity problems were being caused by fears of a looming economic crisis​. “People are losing faith that the country’s leadership can do something for them,” said Lev Gudkov, the head of Levada Center.
35​ RUSSIA Country Report​ June 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com