Topics of the nationwide phone-ins with Vladimir Putin and their role for public support and Russian economy

The addresses of national leaders can affect their public support and spur changes in the country's economy. To date, very few studies exist establishing these relationships, no research has been done on from Vladimir Putin. In this paper we fill knowledge gap by analysing nationwide phone-ins Putin, a special annual format where he public, using structural topic modelling studying topics over time. Furthermore, relate to approval president government as well some Russian macroeconomic indicators such inflation budget expenditures. Based our data containing 1938 responses almost 250 thousand words, identify 16 main covering areas healthcare education through economics elections legislation. We find that foreign affairs gained popularity time most (from around 4.5% at beginning more than 10% starting 2014). Another topic, consistently gaining weight president's statements, is related solving particular problems general 8% 12.5%) significantly correlated with subsequent decrease unemployment (Pearson's correlation coefficient -0.502). also when government's decreasing, Putin tends discuss socially significant (e.g., inflation, healthcare, Pearson's coef. -0.5), while rising, speaks about 0.773). Our study provides first evidence may adapt content his phone-in meetings gather influence