President Vladimir Putin secured a record victory in Russia’s post-Soviet election on Sunday, further tightening his control and affirming, as he claimed, the correctness of Russia’s stance against the West and its military involvement in Ukraine.
Putin, who initially ascended to power in 1999 as a former KGB lieutenant colonel, emphasized that this victory should signal to Western nations that they must engage with a more assertive Russia, in times of both conflict and peace, for many years ahead.
Election results confirm Putin’s dominance
- The election unfolded with little room for protest. Russians showed their displeasure with Putin by flocking to polling stations on Sunday as part of an opposition call to express themselves. However, the outcome was predetermined: Putin’s landslide victory underscores his unwavering control over the nation’s political landscape. His nearly quarter-century rule now extends for six more years.
- This result signifies that Putin, at the age of 71, is poised to begin another six-year term, potentially surpassing Josef Stalin to become the longest-serving Russian leader in over two centuries, provided he serves the full term.
- Achieving 87.8% of the vote, as per the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) exit poll, marks the highest outcome in the post-Soviet history of Russia. The Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) reported a slightly lower percentage for Putin, at 87%. Initial official figures matched these exit polls. International responses, including those from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, criticized the election as neither free nor fair, pointing out issues such as the jailing of political adversaries and media censorship.
- Early results showed that Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov, who is a communist, came in second with just below 4%, followed by Vladislav Davankov and ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky.
- In his victory address in Moscow, Putin committed to focusing on the objectives related to what he describes as Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine and vowed to bolster the Russian military forces.
Why it matters
The election’s outcome proves Putin’s unwavering control over Russian politics, extending his rule to nearly three decades. This result not only reflects the suppressed state of political opposition but also indicates a broader acceptance or resignation among the Russian populace towards Putin’s leadership model. With critics silenced and opposition figures like Alexei Navalny neutralized, Putin’s path was largely unobstructed.
The big picture
The global response has been swift and critical. David Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, stated that the elections were neither free nor fair, citing the absence of genuine electoral choice and independent monitoring. The elections were held in a world of scrutiny, with Putin’s actions in Ukraine and the suppression of internal dissent leading to widespread condemnation.
What they are saying
- The victory was celebrated by Putin as evidence of national unity and resilience against external pressures.
- “No matter who or how much they want to intimidate us, no matter who or how much they want to suppress us, our will, our consciousness — no one has ever succeeded in anything like this in history. It has not worked now and will not work in the future. Never,” Putin said.
- In stark contrast, Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, expressed a no-negotiation stance towards Putin, labeling him a ‘killer’ and a ‘gangster’.
- “There is no evil he will not commit to prolong his personal power,” Ukraine President Zelensky said.
- Critics of the electoral process from international leaders and election watchdogs have highlighted the challenges of achieving a fair political landscape in Russia.
Putin: The Russia-NATO conflict is just one step away from WW3.
- Asked by Reuters about Macron’s remarks and the risks and possibility of a conflict between Russia and Nato, Putin quipped: ‘Everything is possible in the modern world.’
- “It is clear to everyone, that this will be one step away from a full-scale World War Three. I think hardly anyone is interested in this,” Putin told reporters after securing the most significant victory in post-Soviet Russian elections.
- According to Putin, Nato forces were already present in Ukraine and intercepted communications in both English and French on the battlefield.
- “There is nothing good in this, first of all for them, because they are dying there and in large numbers,” he said.
What next
With Putin’s extended tenure, the global community is closely watching as Russia navigates internal discontent and external pressures. Further international sanctions or diplomatic strategies aimed at addressing the autocratic drift may be a result of the election aftermath. Domestically, dissatisfied factions may seek new methods to voice opposition, although Putin’s stronghold and the suppression mechanisms in place pose significant barriers.
Between the lines
Putin’s hold on Russia is further solidified in this election, which also sends a strong message to the international community about the country’s internal dynamics and foreign policy direction. The global geopolitical landscape is still delicately balanced as tensions simmer between Russia and the West, particularly regarding Ukraine and NATO, and Putin’s Russia remains a central player.
The Ukraine war has caused the greatest turmoil in Moscow’s relationship with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has often warned of the risks of nuclear war, but says he has never felt the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, the Russian President said that Moscow was ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence were threatened. Putin has made it clear that he is prepared to use nuclear weapons since the launch of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The most recent such threat came in his state-of-the-nation address last month, when he warned the West that deepening its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.
