Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured his fifth term in a victory that was never in doubt, despite facing only token challengers in the recent election. Partial results showed Putin easily winning with an overwhelming 87% of the vote, further solidifying his grip on power.
Critics have decried the lack of choice for voters and the harsh suppression of opposition voices leading up to the election. Independent media outlets have been crippled, and Putin’s political foes have either been jailed or forced into exile.
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s associates called for a protest on election day, resulting in long lines at polling stations. Some protesters even went as far as to write Navalny’s name on their ballots, along with messages such as “killer”, “thief”, and “The Hague awaits you”.
Despite some protests and dissent, many Russians still showed their support for Putin in the election. Multiple cases of vandalism and arrests were reported at polling stations, highlighting the tight controls imposed on voters.
Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation deemed the protest successful, with some protesters abroad demonstrating strong opposition to Putin’s rule. Protests also took place outside Russian embassies in various countries, with strong turnout reported by Russian state television.
Critics, including liberal politician Boris Nadezhdin, expressed hope that many Russians had voted against Putin in the election. However, with the majority of votes in Putin’s favor, it seems that he will continue to lead Russia for the foreseeable future.
