Sergei Shoigu, Native of Tuva, Placed Second after Putin in the All-Russian Popularity Rating

Seventy three percent of respondents approved of the job Putin was doing as President of Russia. His disapproval rating dropped from 27 percent in February to 19 percent in August, the lowest this year. The government’s approval rating remains unchanged at 30 percent. From May to August, twenty two percent approved of the state duma’s performance, and 60 percent said they disapproved. The federation council upper chamber's rating remained almost unchanged, with 24 percent approving of its performance and 45 percent disapproving.

Putin remains the most popular politician in Russia, with his rating stabilizing at 42 percent. He is followed by emergency minister Sergei Shoigu, with 14 percent, and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, with 11 percent.