Poll shows Putin, Nobody leading over Medvedev

A new poll released by the Levada Center today shows that, if forced to choose, most Russians would want Vladimir Putin to return to the presidency – but that’s not what’s interesting.

The poll asks: Who would you like to see as a candidate in the spring 2012 presidential elections? Putin “wins” with 27 percent (down from 31 percent last September). Medvedev lags behind with 15 percent (down from a high of 18 in March). What’s interesting is the answer that takes second place – 23 percent said they wouldlike to see “neither one nor the other.” Third place goes to “either one or the other.” Basically: Poor Medvedev. But, more generally: poor status quo.

The poll also asks: If presidential elections were held this Sunday, would you take part and, if so, who would you vote for? Putin gets 23 percent (down from a high of 25 percent in April) and in second place with 22 percent comes “I would vote, but I don’t know for whom.” President Dmitry Medvedev takes the third spot with 18 percent.

Over at Foreign Policy, Steve Levine has started a betting contest on who will be Russia’s next leader. Go forth and vote.