Propaganda machine supports Putin's rating - expert

The independent Russian polling center Levada announced the results of its latest polls, according to which, 43-46 percent of all voters are going to vote for Vladimir Putin at the March presidential elections. Among those who are certain that they will take part in the procedure the figure is 63-66 percent.

Speaking to VK, the head of the polling center, Lev Gudkov, said that the fluctuation of Putin's rating is minimal and unimportant.

The expert admitted that the fact that Putin's rating is still rather high can be explained only by successful operation of the state propaganda machine. Protests are going to become more and more vehement, with a possible social crisis occuring in autumn, the expert believes.

10 percent of Russians say they support the anti-Putin campaign for free elections and 28 percent say they support more than oppose it, while 19 percent oppose it and 26 percent oppose more than support it, Gudkov says.

All things considered, Vladimir Putin's rating has clearly decreased during the last two years, the expert concludes.

Presidential elections in Russia are scheduled for March, 4th. Vladimir Putin runs for president for the third time.