Moscow: Chairman of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko said that according to her, Russians are mentally ready for a female to hold the President’s office. Over the past few years we have seen a lot of vivid and interesting female personalities in business, in banks, as leaders of public opinion, politicians and lawmakers. In modern Russia women are treated without regard to their sex, but depending on their professionalism, cleverness and effectiveness potential,” Matviyenko said.
In March, the independent research agency Levada-Center released the results of a public opinion poll showing 32 percent of Russians would like to see a female president in their country within the next 10 or 15 years. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they opposed the idea. Women are well represented in top Russian legislative and executive bodies, but some female politicians say there is still room for improvement.