Vladimir Putin Named Russia's 'Man of the Year' - for the 15th Time in a Row
2014-12-17 11:09:41.648 GMT
Andrew Marszal
Dec. 17 (Telegraph) -- Russian president proves too popular
yet again for his rivals, sweeping up 68 per cent of the public
vote in competition he has dominated since becoming prime
minister in 1999
He has overseen the collapse of the rouble, Russia's growing
isolation and a draconian clampdown on the press and freedom of
speech. But nothing, it seems, can dent Vladimir Putin's
popularity.
The Russian president has been named Russia's "Man of the
Year" for a remarkable 15th successive year, according to Russian
news agency Interfax.
Mr Putin, 62, retained his crown by an enormous margin,
securing 68 per cent of the public vote. His second-placed rival,
virulent Russian nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, managed
a paltry four per cent.
Some 1,500 Russians from across the country were choosing
from a list of Russian politicians and public figures.
Mr Putin's popularity is currently soaring in Russia,
matching an all-time high of 88 per cent approval rating in
October following his annexation of Crimea earlier in the year.
The only previous time his popularity reached such heights
was following Russia's swift, successful military invasion of
Georgia in September 2008.
The Russian public, it would seem, approve of Mr Putin's
forceful approach to international relations.
Of course, it is not just his own subjects who are
vulnerable to Mr Putin's charms.
Hillary Clinton, the former US Secretary of State and
potential future presidential hopeful, spoke earlier this year of
Mr Putin's "very bright blue eyes", admitting that "when he wants
something from you... he can turn on the charm".
And Mr Putin was spotted in October paying a visit to his
old friend Silvio Berlusconi, leaving the former Italian prime
minister's Milan residence at 3.45am after late-night dinner.
And then there is Mr Putin himself, who - according to
former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - views himself as "second
only to God".
-0- Dec/17/2014 11:09 GMT
2014-12-17 11:09:41.648 GMT
Andrew Marszal
Dec. 17 (Telegraph) -- Russian president proves too popular
yet again for his rivals, sweeping up 68 per cent of the public
vote in competition he has dominated since becoming prime
minister in 1999
He has overseen the collapse of the rouble, Russia's growing
isolation and a draconian clampdown on the press and freedom of
speech. But nothing, it seems, can dent Vladimir Putin's
popularity.
The Russian president has been named Russia's "Man of the
Year" for a remarkable 15th successive year, according to Russian
news agency Interfax.
Mr Putin, 62, retained his crown by an enormous margin,
securing 68 per cent of the public vote. His second-placed rival,
virulent Russian nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, managed
a paltry four per cent.
Some 1,500 Russians from across the country were choosing
from a list of Russian politicians and public figures.
Mr Putin's popularity is currently soaring in Russia,
matching an all-time high of 88 per cent approval rating in
October following his annexation of Crimea earlier in the year.
The only previous time his popularity reached such heights
was following Russia's swift, successful military invasion of
Georgia in September 2008.
The Russian public, it would seem, approve of Mr Putin's
forceful approach to international relations.
Of course, it is not just his own subjects who are
vulnerable to Mr Putin's charms.
Hillary Clinton, the former US Secretary of State and
potential future presidential hopeful, spoke earlier this year of
Mr Putin's "very bright blue eyes", admitting that "when he wants
something from you... he can turn on the charm".
And Mr Putin was spotted in October paying a visit to his
old friend Silvio Berlusconi, leaving the former Italian prime
minister's Milan residence at 3.45am after late-night dinner.
And then there is Mr Putin himself, who - according to
former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - views himself as "second
only to God".
-0- Dec/17/2014 11:09 GMT