The number of Russians who tuned in to watch President Vladimir Putin’s annual address on television last week slipped to its lowest level since 2013, nationwide data from market research firm Mediascope showed on Monday.
The findings come as opinion polls register a slide in Putin’s popularity ratings following moves last year to raise the retirement age and hike sales tax, amid stagnating real wages.
Putin, whose overall approval rating still remains high at over 60 percent, uses state television to burnish his image and every year outlines government priorities in his state-of-the-nation speech to parliament.
This year he put social welfare and …read more
Source: Voice of America
