CHISINAU, Moldova, April 24 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has topped a ranking of world politicians among Moldovans, according to polling data released Thursday.
According to the survey conducted by the Public Opinion Barometer (BOP), some 62 percent of Moldovans consider Putin the most popular politician globally.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel placed second with 44 percent, while US President Barack Obama shared the third position with Romanian leader Traian Basescu, both taking 35 percent. Half of the recipients named Moldova’s Prime Minister Yuri Lyanke the most popular local politician.
The poll also revealed the majority of Moldovans do not trust politicians, with over 60 percent saying the current Moldovan leadership is taking the country in the wrong direction. Meanwhile 85 percent approved of local church leaders. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed said Moldova’s biggest issues are poverty and inflation.
The poll was conducted between March 28 and April 13 and questioned over 1,000 people in 410 towns, including in the break-away region of Transdniestr.
