Brezhnev most popular 20th century Soviet Leader

[RedKobra]

Any thoughts as to why? His period in power was noted for economic stagnation and and KGB repression.

Some possible reasons are the cult of personality built up around him, although this doesn't explain why it persists. Also there is the fact that the USSR became a major player on the international scene again which many Russians may have taken pride in.

[Tim Cornelis]

"(The wonderful Moscow Metro, first opened at a few stations in the 1930s, was only a showcase, in no way representative of conditions on buses and streetcars, especially outside the capital. In many areas, the only transport was by foot along muddy unpaved roads. One should not confuse the Stalin era with the more settled Khrushchov and Brezhnev periods, where a real effort was made to provide most urban working families with some sort of housing, public transport, and tolerable [even if not luxurious] living standards.)"

http://www.cyberussr.com/rus/labor-discip.html

Better standard of living.

[New International]

Brezhnev was really the last leader during a relatively stable but stagnant era (not counting Andropov) for a fairly long period of time. He's likely to be the closest leader in the memory of those who can compare the even worse living standards of today compared with memories of a more stable youth, where they could take pride in still being a major power. He probably invokes nostalgia for this reason.

[Prof. Oblivion]

Most people weren't alive for Khruschev and Andropov/Chernenko oversaw the decline of the country before Gorbachev oversaw its dismantling.

[tuwix]

Any thoughts as to why?

Due to very effective propaganda. In his period the TV came to Russian homes.

[Ceallach_the_Witch]

people admire his eyebrow game?


though on a serious note I'd echo other users in the thread. As far as I know it was a fairly stable period for the USSR (and for the initial period of his leadership at least, fairly prosperous) and as far asI know he's remembered as a fairly affable sort of leader by soviet standards. It's not something I know a huge amount about to be honest.