Six More Years
Vladimir Putin won the presidential election with an overwhelming 77% of the vote and voter turnout of 67.5%. Although some of this may be a result of fraud, it is clear that the large majority of the votes were won because of popular support. Mr. Putin won in every single federal entity in the country, thereby obtaining a mandate in full support of his policies.
Ksenia Sobchak aimed to get the liberal opposition vote but her 1.7% is a clear defeat as it is four times lower than the most recent liberal opposition candidate won in the 2012 election. Sobchak’s campaign caused deep discord in the liberal opposition camp as she also announced the launch of a new party that will likely try to cannibalize Navalny’s supporters.
Street protests are taking place in various Russian federal entities in response to tragedies resulting in multiple deaths or injuries. In all cases, the protesters are choosing to express their dissatisfaction with local authorities rather than with the federal government. However, the protests are continuing and may also damage Putin’s support.
Russia is likely to stand its ground and respond symmetrically to what it considers unfriendly measures by other countries in relation to the Skripal poisoning case. After his election victory, Putin is confident this is the course of action Russians support.
A large majority of Russians do not believe their country was involved in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom. Fewer than 10% of people think the accusations by Western leaders are even somewhat justified.
Now read on...
Register to sample a report