OREANDA-NEWS. According to the results of the poll conducted by non-governmental sociological organization Levada Center, 38 % of Russian citizens consider that the country’s President Vladimir Putin expresses the interests of oligarchs, bankers and large entrepreneurs.

For the first time since 2000, oligarchs surpassed the security forces by this indicator. 37 % of respondents are sure that the head of state defends the interests of the latter. In October 2017, these figures were 41 % for security forces and 31 % for big business.

28 % of respondents believe that Putin expresses the interests of officials, 18 % said that the President cares about the needs of the middle classes, 16 % think that he defends the interests of ordinary people.

According to 46 % of respondents, Putin relies on the support of security forces. They are followed by oligarchs (37 %), officials (27 %) and the “directorial corps” (17 %).