Putin Secures 5th Term in Predictable Election Amid Severe Crackdown Resembling Soviet Era
In a highly anticipated election that lacked any element of surprise, President Vladimir Putin has secured his fifth term as the leader of Russia. The election commission released results on Monday, revealing that Putin had won with an overwhelming majority of votes. However, this victory did not come without controversy, as the election was marred by a severe crackdown on opposition voices and free speech, reminiscent of the Soviet era.
Throughout his nearly quarter-century rule, Putin has faced little opposition and has become increasingly intolerant of dissent. This election was no exception, as token challengers were easily dismissed and opposition voices were harshly suppressed. Despite these obstacles, Russians lined up outside polling stations to express their displeasure with the president, heeding the opposition’s call for protest.
Critics argue that this election was preordained and lacked any semblance of choice. Public criticism of Putin or his actions in Ukraine has been stifled, and independent media outlets have been crippled. The death of Putin’s fiercest political foe, Alexei Navalny, in an Arctic prison last month, further highlights the oppressive environment in which this election took place. Other critics of Putin find themselves either in jail or in exile, leaving little room for dissenting voices.
The tightly controlled nature of this election also extended to the monitoring process. Independent monitoring was extremely limited, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the vote. Nevertheless, Russia’s Central Election Commission announced that Putin had received a staggering 87.29% of the vote, his highest tally ever.
While Putin celebrated these preliminary results as a demonstration of “trust” and “hope” in him, the West dismissed the election as a sham. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron took to social media to express his disappointment, stating that this is not what free and fair elections should look like.
Despite the limited options available to voters, some Russians used the election as an opportunity to protest. Navalny’s associates urged those unhappy with Putin or the war in Ukraine to go to the polls at noon on Sunday, resulting in long lines outside polling stations both within Russia and at its embassies around the world. Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, spent over five hours in line at the Russian Embassy in Berlin and wrote her late husband’s name on her ballot. However, Putin brushed off the effectiveness of these protests, praising their participation as a manifestation of opposition.
During a news conference after polls closed, Putin made a surprising move by referencing Navalny by name for the first time ever. He declared that he was ready to release Navalny in exchange for unidentified inmates in Western custody, just days before the opposition leader’s death. Putin also rejected Western criticism of the vote and attempted to divert attention by accusing the United States of denigrating democracy.
While some Russians expressed their happiness with Putin’s leadership and voted for him willingly, critics argue that this sentiment is manufactured by state-controlled media. State TV consistently praises the Russian leader, creating an environment where voicing any other opinion is risky.
The three-day voting process took place across Russia, including illegally annexed regions of Ukraine and online. Despite attempts to control the situation, several incidents of arrests were reported, including individuals starting fires or setting off explosives at polling stations. Others were detained for throwing antiseptic or ink into ballot boxes.
In conclusion, Vladimir Putin’s securement of a fifth term as president comes as no surprise. The severe crackdown on opposition voices and free speech during this election has drawn comparisons to the Soviet era. While some Russians expressed their dissatisfaction with Putin through protest, the limited options and controlled environment ultimately hindered any significant opposition. The international community has dismissed this election as a sham, emphasizing the need for free and fair elections in Russia.
