The overwhelming majority of Russians believe in the strength and durability of the President Dmitry Medvedev-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin tandem. The conclusion follows from a recent opinion poll held by the VTsIOM public opinion research center.
Vladimir Putin, who in the spring of 2008 stepped down as president and accepted the post of prime minister, not only signaled his intention to stay in the upper echelons of power but demonstrated a sober and pragmatic stance, intelligence in economic and financial matters and excellent organizational skills. Dmitry Medvedev, who succeeded him as president, has gained much respect and recognition both at home and abroad. The two work in close contact with each other. Yevgeny Minchenko, head of the International Institute for Political Expertise in Moscow, gives his view:
"People's faith in the strength of the Medvedev-Putin tandem reflects current realities. Despite repeated attempts to "rock the boat" and create the impression of a feud between the president and the prime minister, neither Putin, nor Medvedev ever gave the slightest pretext to think so. Each has his own clearly defined powers. Perhaps, their spheres of responsibility are being gradually redistributed in some way or other but no conflict has ever emerged".
This view is shared by two-thirds of the people polled by VTsIOM. Only 10% think that a clash of ambitions might cause the Medvedev-Putin tandem to split as the next presidential elections draw closer. Asked whom they trusted most and with whom they linked their hopes for a better future, most of those surveyed named Medvedev and Putin. Sociologists say this is a clear sign of political and social stability. Only as little as 7% of the respondents said they did not care about the relations between the president and the premier.
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